Help us diagnose our Ford F150: what could be draining down the (new) battery overnight? We're suddenly seeing apparent battery drainage in our pickup truck, a 1994 Ford F150. Though the truck starts up fine, the dashboard battery gauge reads low immediately upon ignition, the windshield wipers are sluggish, and the dashboard lights are dim. We thought the old battery was likely dying, so we had it replaced with a new battery... but that hasn't solved the problem. [more inside]
posted by Elsa on Dec 19, 2009 - 28 answers

We are considering renting a car and driving from Rio de Janeiro to Paraty and back. Advice? [more inside]
posted by tss on Dec 14, 2009 - 11 answers

Please help me navigate a mess involving an expired car registration, a speeding ticket, a lost insurance card, a license held as bond and a omg I can't even think. This involves Illinois and Wisconsin. [more inside]
posted by desjardins on Nov 30, 2009 - 8 answers

How do I get rid of a car in the SF bay area? Slightly above junk level... [more inside]
posted by paultopia on Nov 29, 2009 - 10 answers

Maryland Accident, car totaled. Cops incorrectly say both drivers are at fault. Can anything be done? [more inside]
posted by anti social order on Nov 18, 2009 - 9 answers

So I bought a car from out of state...please help me with the logistics! [more inside]
posted by HopperFan on Nov 15, 2009 - 6 answers

What's the process to buying an used car in Ontario? [more inside]
posted by tksh on Nov 10, 2009 - 8 answers

My 2004 Mazda3 hatchback with about 20,000 miles on it won't start. [more inside]
posted by misskaz on Nov 1, 2009 - 14 answers

I cannot unlock the trunk on my car! [more inside]
posted by zerobyproxy on Oct 29, 2009 - 2 answers

Why (in the UK, or anywhere else where this applies) is it illegal to drive without wearing a seatbelt, but legal for bus passengers to sit, or even stand without one? [more inside]
posted by Mwongozi on Oct 14, 2009 - 14 answers

VolkswagenFilter: I'm going to be looking at a '99 VW Jetta (A4 body) in the next couple days and am wondering what, specifically, I should look for when I'm there. [more inside]
posted by dunkadunc on Oct 7, 2009 - 14 answers

I am in California and I am about to buy a car last registered in Michigan. The car is here. In Michigan, the plates follow the owner and therefore the car won't come with any plates. Once I take it to the DMV and register it, will they give me some kind of window sticker or something so I can drive the car around before my CA plates arrive in the mail?
posted by twblalock on Sep 22, 2009 - 10 answers

Front-wheel drive car. Back tires worn and will be replaced. Front tires okay for now. Where should the new tires go? [more inside]
posted by Opposite George on Sep 15, 2009 - 25 answers

Sometime last night someone severely scraped the side of my car while is was parked at my apartment complex. They left no note. What are my options? [more inside]
posted by lizjohn on Sep 12, 2009 - 20 answers

Is supermarket petrol bad for my car? [more inside]
posted by Lorc on Aug 30, 2009 - 14 answers

The AC of my Mercedes Benz 2002 stopped working so we took it to a well known Used Car Dealership for a check up. They charge me $150.00 just for the check up and gave me an estimate of about $3,000 to fix it (basically they said all the system had to be replace it). I didn’t want to spend that kind of money so we took it one of those ‘basic repair shop’ chains and they fixed it by changing a $25.00 sensor. I want my $150.00 back, I live in Florida and don't know if I am entitled to a refund? If I am, what is the best way to ask for it? I’m pissed at them but I want to behave civilized and effective.
posted by 3dd on Aug 24, 2009 - 24 answers

I just changed my car's old dead battery with a new, just purchased one following the directions here. Even though I clamped the connectors down hard enough that I can't move either of them, the car seems to be completely dead --- it doesn't appear to be getting any power whatsoever. Any ideas what could be wrong? [more inside]
posted by jacobm on Aug 19, 2009 - 23 answers

What Next on Not Receiving Customer Cash-Back Car Rebate? [more inside]
posted by Elsie on Aug 13, 2009 - 4 answers

I'm looking into buying a used car, and found a pretty good looking one from a colleague in New Jersey. I live in Brooklyn. How the heck does this work? Parking and title questions follow... [more inside]
posted by zvs on Aug 12, 2009 - 3 answers

As a female 22 year old citizen, was it out of line for the male highway patrol officer to ask me to sit in the front seat of his vehicle with him while he filled out an official warning? [more inside]
posted by selavy on Aug 12, 2009 - 60 answers

How to turn my car's dome light off w/out pulling out the fuse. [more inside]
posted by Eiwalker on Aug 10, 2009 - 14 answers

[Autofilter] My brakes make a grinding sound when I first start driving. After I use the brakes several times, usually after 5-10 minutes of driving (sometimes more), they're back to normal. In addition to the grinding sound, it's much harder to push down on the brake- this also disappears after using my brakes enough. What's up? [more inside]
posted by spaltavian on Aug 9, 2009 - 17 answers

New car buying hell. Are we the only ones being told that the Toyota Prius price is MSRP PLUS expensive add-on premiums to cover their gouging? [more inside]
posted by 6:1 on Aug 8, 2009 - 21 answers

Is there a cheaper way to rent a car at JFK? [more inside]
posted by SLC Mom on Aug 2, 2009 - 13 answers

I just got my car from the impound, but I want to figure out a way to get my money back from the city (Jersey City,NJ). I don't think it should have been towed. [more inside]
posted by scrutiny on Jul 31, 2009 - 14 answers

Is it dangerous and/or damaging to my car to drive with a malfunctioning ABS module? [more inside]
posted by Dilemma on Jul 30, 2009 - 18 answers

This is an awesome askme on negotiating a new car price but not covered is when do dealer incentives come in? Working from the TMV price, should I negotiate the price with the incentives applied? or negotiate the price with the dealer and then assume that the dealer will apply any available incentives? Thanks.
posted by bluesky43 on Jul 27, 2009 - 3 answers

Can I Still Get a Cash-Back Car Rebate After Buying a Car? [more inside]
posted by Elsie on Jul 18, 2009 - 4 answers

How do I get cat pee out of my car's upholstery? Took my male (neutered) cat to the vet today, stupidly put him on the seat in his carrier instead of the floor. He peed in terror right out the mesh back, and now my car stinks all to hell. [more inside]
posted by emjaybee on Jul 18, 2009 - 23 answers

Car trouble: How loudly should I yell at my dealer's service department? [more inside]
posted by Eddie Mars on Jul 8, 2009 - 13 answers

While changing the lightbulb in the front turn signal on my car (a 2003 BMW 330i), I managed to lose the screw that connects the turn signal assembly to the car. What kind of screw can I get to replace it? [more inside]
posted by Zonker on Jul 4, 2009 - 12 answers

Hertz fender bender, do I need to file police report, and am I covered? [more inside]
posted by spacefire on Jul 4, 2009 - 5 answers

Recommended maintenance for car after winter storage? [more inside]
posted by mustard seeds on Jul 2, 2009 - 3 answers

I'm the owner of a 2002 Toyota Corolla which just hit 107,000 miles. On June 9th while I was at work, my car got hammered by some pretty large hail. The damage was enough that my insurance (Progressive) declared it a total loss. My frugal heart couldn't bear to have them tow away a perfectly drivable car, so I took the lesser payout (just under $5000) and kept it. Now what? [more inside]
posted by weathergal on Jul 1, 2009 - 15 answers

Waste Oil Diesel. Any satisfied users? [more inside]
posted by Jon-o on Jun 27, 2009 - 4 answers

Has anyone here had any success in reattaching the headliner (ceiling fabric) to their car? [more inside]
posted by Think_Long on Jun 26, 2009 - 19 answers

What car insurance coverage to I need for a brand-new car? [more inside]
posted by Elsie on Jun 25, 2009 - 12 answers

Where should I register my car? [more inside]
posted by pemberkins on Jun 25, 2009 - 13 answers

Hondas and recommended service maintenance schedules, do you believe in them? I've got a 1991 standard Hatchback, 169,000 miles. and i've done every single schedule maintenance. never had a problem with anything unexpected happening (which is why i do it). Now i'm wondering if there's a better (read: cheaper) way to do this, without sacrificing quality? I don't know any mechanics, don't want to it myself, but am curious if there's an alternative. Thanks.
posted by holdenjordahl on Jun 17, 2009 - 14 answers

What's the recommended action to take and agencies to contact when faced with an animal stuck in a locked car in 100 deg heat? [more inside]
posted by arcticseal on Jun 13, 2009 - 25 answers

Is it possible to fit an ordinary, adult-sized street bicycle into a 2007 Honda Civic? If so, how?
posted by ninotchka on Jun 9, 2009 - 13 answers

How can I recharge my nearly-completely-drained car battery so that it will work long enough to drive it to get crushed? I'm hoping to avoid buying a brand new battery just to have it crushed. [more inside]
posted by brenton on Jun 8, 2009 - 30 answers

Help -- my Toyota Matrix is flooding in behind my passenger seat. What should I check? What are the reccomendations of the hive mind? Details below. [more inside]
posted by Librarygeek on Jun 8, 2009 - 18 answers

What is this mystery car part??? [more inside]
posted by alygator on Jun 4, 2009 - 16 answers

What the heck is wrong with my car? And no, you are not my mechanic. [more inside]
posted by WickedPissah on May 31, 2009 - 13 answers

Need help keeping it up! My car sun visor, that is. [more inside]
posted by Robert Angelo on May 30, 2009 - 13 answers

Daytrip Dreamin': I've read the previous question about Zipcars in NYC, but it's about a year old and I have some specific questions. [more inside]
posted by The Whelk on May 28, 2009 - 14 answers

Can anyone identify the make, model, and year of this car?
posted by Fred Mars on May 7, 2009 - 42 answers

What is the best way to buy a left-hand-drive car given that I live in the UK? [more inside]
posted by rongorongo on Apr 30, 2009 - 6 answers

Can some one recommend a good quality car wash that is safe to use when washing my car in the sun? [more inside]
posted by Taurid on Apr 24, 2009 - 10 answers