Be men: Get on the parts phone yourselves

Dear Bob: I am a parts counterman for a GM dealership. I work the counters a lot, and am having a difficult time with some customers. They want free information on a GM part number, to make it easier for them to buy elsewhere — that is, at an aftermarket source.

Don’t get me wrong. I will help anybody who wants my help, but I get tired of helping people so that they can buy elsewhere.

I am very proud of my job, and take it seriously. The dealership I work for trains me on the GM factory level. I would personally be parts-ASC-certified if it would help me advance in any way. I don’t think it’s fair that I help other people who have no interest in buying factory parts when my paycheck depends on selling parts for a living. I myself have never called a dealership for free information.

I understand that there is a cost and/or a pride thing with most people, but it’s getting to be too much.

And one last thing I’d really like you to print: All of you men out there standing in the background, coaching your wife, as she calls for parts — be a man and get on the telephone yourself.

Best,

— B.J., central Pennsylvania, via e-mail

A: OK, it’s printed. Now let’s see what my readers think.

Dear Bob: I read your comments regularly in The Spokesman Review.

Do you have any suggestions how I might increase mileage on my 1999 Ford Ranger XLT four-cylinder automatic, which is now getting an awful 10 mpg city/14 mpg highway?

Thanks,

— M.B., Moscow, Idaho

A: I have oodles of suggestions! I recommend that you make it a habit to follow the “American Drivers Fight Back” portion of this column, which offers a fuel-saving tip each week.

Another thing you might do is to go to your library, check back issues of The Spokesman Review and copy down the tips given in, say, the past 52 weeks. That should rev up those paltry mpgs.

You’ve already taken the most important step, however: You’ve checked your existing mileage, decided that it’s unacceptable — whether for financial, ecological or political reasons doesn’t really matter — and resolved to take action to change that state of affairs. That’s half the battle won right there.

Dear Bob: Several years ago you mentioned some great windshield wipers that you had tested and reported on. We bought some of these and have really liked them, and now want to put them on another car.

However, I have lost the name and address/telephone number of the company. Can you please supply that information again?

Thanks,

— R.H., Lewisberry, Pa.

A: I daresay you’re talking about the 100-percent-pure-silicone wiper blades made by Specialty Silicone Products, Curtis Industrial Park, Route 67, Bldg. 42, Ballston Spa, NY 12020. The telephone number is (518) 885-8826.

Incidentally, I still have a pair of these on an old truck of mine that sits outside in the Arizona sun year round. After five-plus years, they are still performing admirably.

Dear Bob: As a practicing chemist for more than 60 years, I take issue with the recent letter from “B.C. and Grandma” that concerned the efficacy of a mixture of vinegar and ammonia as a glass cleaner.

This old wives’ tale has been around since I was a youth. Mixing these two, an acid and an alkali or base, will result in the formation of a salt solution that possesses no cleaning power except for the water.

A better approach is to flood the glass with clean water to remove surface grit. This will prevent scratching when the glass is rubbed with a damp cloth. The glass then should be washed with ammonia, rinsed with clean water, cleaned with vinegar and final rinsed with clean water.

The process may be repeated if necessary.

— J.C.C., Newburgh, N.Y.

A: More on removing that frustrating windshield film — the issue that wouldn’t die! Thanks for your suggestion.

AMERICAN DRIVERS FIGHT BACK

Here’s a tip that will help you get better gas mileage while fighting terrorism and cutting our nation’s dependence on Mideastern oil:

Dear Bob: We all know that slower speeds improve gas mileage — but not always! Monitor your fuel economy, particularly on a long trip. I have found that sometimes going two to three miles per hour faster results in better mileage. It takes a while to find your vehicle’s “sweet spot,” but it pays off.

Another reason to monitor your gas mileage: My mileage suddenly dropped from 18 mpg to 15.5 mpg. Obviously a problem was developing, and eventually the engine light came on, verifying that there was for sure a problem that was causing the decrease in mileage.

The vehicle is now scheduled for repair. I would not have gone on a trip, knowing that this problem existed.

Sincerely,

— J.D., Neversink, N.Y.

A: As you say, it pays to keep track of your fuel economy. It’s especially easy if you drive a recent-model vehicle which has an ongoing gas-mileage display. If so, you can find that “sweet spot” by simply watching the monitor as you try different highway speeds and let the computer test each one for you.

Once you find the mph that gives your vehicle the best highway mileage, stick with it for maximal fuel efficiency.