Automotive FAQ

Question: This test was poorly devised, and produced very misleading results. Worst of all, its results violate the basic laws of physics. Basically, TCS DECREASES power in a low-traction situation. In many cases, a tire will have no traction and therefore the car will be stuck. Chains and AWD work by INCREASING traction [...]

Question: It seems like every Toyota vehicle I’ve ever driven has markedly lousy handling. Toyota pickups on bad dirt roads are hard to control and make me feel like I could lose my life at any minute; I refuse to drive shuttle in anyone else’s Toyota pickup now. (Nissan and Chevy pickups [...]

Question: What does anyone/everyone think about the 89/90 Nissan 240(SX?)?
Answer: I’ve said this on the net before but I guess I’ll repeat it: I don’t think that a inline 4 cylinder engine should be larger than 2 liters, from a vibration point of view, least of all the engine that is [...]

Question: Audi has had Hydraulic lifters in their (OHC) engines since 1983.
Volkswagen has had them since 1985 on their gas cars, and 1986 on their diesels, and on teir DOHC 16V models since 1986 in Europe.
These engines are OHC designs with the Camshaft(s) directly over the valve (ie: NO rockers involved.)
My understanding is that in [...]

Question: I have a 1985 Toyota Supra (automatic). I normally use 89 Octane gas, but > > with the prices well above $2.00 per gallon, I was wondering if I could use > > 87 Octane instead. My car has about 160,000 miles on it.
> > Larry
> I have an 86 [...]

Question: Just curious what one might be willing to pay for a mint condition 1985 Supra. It was owned by my late grandmother and was literally driven by a little old lady. She bought it for all the wrong reasons. It wasn’t so much the performance as much as she liked the [...]

Question: Last week I wrecked my 85 Supra and I know that the insurance co. is going to call it totalled. I’ve put tons of money into this car and am sentimentally attached to it but I’m going to let it go.
There are lots of good parts on the vehicle, just [...]

Question: I have a 1985 Supra with 192K on it. It uses about 1 qt of oil per 1000 miles. Recently I have notice when the car is started, it has a rough idle for about 4 minutes or so, then settles down. This will happen no matter the time of day [...]

Question: Not all turbo cars use knock sensors, but most do. I have been doing some experimentation with turbo boost pressures relative to octane ratings as indicated on the pump. My Audi is supposed to run on “87 octane or better” with the factory setup, around 7 psi boost. In fact, it runs fine [...]

Question: I’m sure this subject has been brought up before, but I think there’s value in revisiting it. The question is directed at people who drive sports cars:
What’s your favorite insurance company and why?
I’m looking at buying a 1987 Toyota Supra and discovering the cost of insuranc3 to be rather high. Is there a quality [...]