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	SOUND ADVICE        from  AUTOMOTIVE     EXPERT and CERTIFIED MASTER MECHANIC      Mario DeBruin                               OF DALLAS BASED...      D.Tech Consulting Co.  HELPING CONSUMERS MAKE INFORMED AUTOMOTIVE DECISIONS

	Have you ever wished you could...   Ask someone other than your mechanic about what's wrong with your car? Anticipate what major repairs may be in your car's future? Get independent advice if your car isn't repaired correctly the first time? Get assistance from a factory-trained technician and do the repairs yourself?          E-MAIL ME AT:   m.debruin@verizon.net   IT'S FREE       TROUBLE SHOOTING YOUR CAR... Car trouble doesn't always mean major repairs. Here are some common causes of trouble and techniques to help you and your technician find and fix problems: Alternator - Loose wiring can make your alternator appear defective. Your technician should check for loose connections and perform an output test before replacing the alternator. Battery - Corroded or loose battery terminals can make the battery appear dead or defective. Your technician should clean the terminals and test battery function before replacing the battery. Starter - What appears to be a defective starter actually may be a dead battery or poor connection. Ask your technician to check all connections and test the battery before repairing the starter. Muffler - a loud rumbling noise under your vehicle indicates a need for a new muffler or exhaust pipe. Tuneup - The old-fashioned "tuneup" may not be relevant to your vehicle. Fewer parts, other than belts, spark plugs, hoses and filters, need to be replaced on newer vehicles. Follow the recommendations in your owner's manual.

	LOOK FOR MY STORY IN NEXT MONTH'S ISSUE

	SEE MARIO LIVE on GOOD MORNING TEXAS Live with Catherine Garcia Live with Scott Samms

	YOU CAN ALSO LISTEN TO MARIO... SUNDAY MORNINGS ON KVIL RADIO 103.7 ON THE MARK WILLIS SHOW

	Is your vehicle on the top 10 most stolen list? Cars Stolen Most Often in 2002 According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB®), the most popular sedans -- the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Ford Taurus are particularly attractive targets for thieves, along with sport utility vehicles (SUVs), pickup trucks, and mini-vans. The NICB®, using data reported by its member insurance companies, has compiled a list of the 10 vehicles most frequently reported stolen in the U.S. in 2002. That top 10 includes: Toyota Camry Honda Accord Honda Civic Chevrolet Full Size C/K pick-up Ford Full Size Pickup (150/250/350) Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee Oldsmobile Cutlass/Supreme/Ciera Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan Ford Taurus Toyota Corolla

	Automotive Electrical Repair & Automotive Electronics Troubleshooting Training           http://www.veejer.com   Learn step-by-step auto electrical repair and how to troubleshoot automotive electrical and automotive electronic circuits with training programs offered by Vince Fischelli, founder of Veejer Enterprises

	Texas Commission on Environmental Quality www.tceq.state.tx.us/index.htm

	click here to read story.   Why speed Limits?

	Car care: Myths vs. reality When it comes to maintaining your vehicle, popular misconceptions around.    Among the most common: Myth: Tires should be inflated to the pressure embossed on the sidewall of the tire. Reality: The tire-pressure figure shown on the sidewall is the maximum pressure--not the vehicle manufacturer's recommended figure. Always use the manufacturer's recommended pressure, which is determined to provide the best balance of ride, handling, and fuel economy. It's usually printed on a sticker on a doorjamb, the glovebox, or the fuel-filler door. Check your tires against the recommended pressure when your car has been at rest for a while. Myth: If regular-grade fuel is good, premium must be better. Reality: Most vehicles are designed to run just fine on regular-grade (87 octane) fuel. A higher octane number doesn't mean that your vehicle will perform better. It simply means that it's more resistant to engine knocking or pinging. Use the octane grade that's recommended in your vehicle's owner's manual. Filling up with a higher grade is usually a waste of money. Myth: Engine oil should be changed every 3,000 miles. Reality: Although oil companies and quick-lube shops like to promote this idea, it's usually not necessary. Go by the recommended oil-change schedule in your vehicle's owner's manual. Most vehicles driven under normal conditions can go 7,500 miles or more between oil changes. Some models now come with a monitoring system that alerts the driver when the oil needs changing. Depending on driving conditions, these can extend change intervals to 10,000 or 15,000 miles. Illustrations by Jackie Urbanovic Myth: You don't have to worry about replacing tires until they're worn down to the minimum tread depth. Reality: It's true that if a tire's tread wears to the minimum depth of 1/16 inch, it should be replaced. But a tire's grip can be compromised well before this mark if you drive in rain, slush, or snow. As the tread wears, it's easier for the tire to hydroplane or lose traction and for the driver to lose control.