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My car is making this loud airplane noise when driving...why?

in the morning this truck wont go any faster then 25 mph.for at least 3 to 4 mi. Y.then it wont shift from 1st to 2nd untill i let up on the throttle. can u help me.thank you. tucson az

I have developed in my '08 Mazda3 a most annoying buzz in the AM radio when I start the car up in the morning. I notice when I accelerate that it gets louder and when I let up on the accelerator it lets up too. I also hear it a little at idle. If you can give any suggestions, I'll be most appreciative. I only listen to AM radio and it was so nice not having any noise at all in this radio.
When I took it to the dealer they did the usual diagnostics and couldn't replicate the noise...of course. I described the issue as maybe an EMI problem (my former husband was an engineer so I know a little about it) and they did not seem to understand what I was talking about.

Do you have any advice on a stuck alternator plug besides cutting it off and replacing it? I went to change the alternator on my 1989 Mazda 626 and the push-in tab to release the wiring harness plug crumbled. The stupid thing has a divider in the middle, and I've had no luck getting the two little tabs to release.

How would you say your show compares in approach to the BBC program TOP GEAR? Thanks!

How has the automotive journalism "beat" changed with the recent changes in journalism and the media? How has your job changed?

I'm a writer at www.cargurus.com/blog and have followed MotorWeek for about 5 years. We've had a debate on our blog about what makes a "domestic" car. For example: is the Ford Fusion made in Mexico more American, or the Toyota Tundra built in the United States? I'd be interested in your take, as I believe the global marketplace will only continue to blur the lines between domestic and foreign.
Thank you!

My question is which car company is going ahead according to the market view in the year 2009. Mercedes or BMW?

When you buy a premium car stereo, how many speakers is the "driver" supposed to be able to hear when the system is reset to zero, meaning there is no equalization or tone added or removed?

In my case, I have the BMW logic 7 system which has 13 speakers. I can not hear any of the speakers behind my seat unless I turn the control all the way to the back and then I can't hear the front speakers.

This is true even when I set the Surround Sound to "on."
I have asked this question to my dealer,the Managers of BMW in New Jersey, different divisions of Lexicon (now a Harmon company), who makes the Logic 7 system and they are all clueless. They all say to turn the control to the back to hear the back and I don't think I should need to do that if the system comes "tuned" properly.

As an aside, I have been taping Motorweek, weekly since I had my first Beta video recorder..and my Mazda RX-7, GSL-SE who celebrates her 24th birthday today. On 7/8/85 I became her guardian. Her name was PJ, after Parnelli Jones.She (I know Parnelli isn't a she but PJ clearly's a she with attitude) hold the record for the longest relationship of my life...HA!

Lori

Hi John,

Love the show. I was curious if you were a big fan of auto racing? And if so, which series and types of racing do you follow?

What kind of cars do you own?

Given the emphasis on economy and smallness, is the era of the performance car over or do you think manufacturers will come up with technology to still provide high performance alongside the mandatory economy requirements?

If so, what technologies do you think hold the most promise?

I need a cheap relaible diesel, toyota seem to make a good strong pickup, but is there a small car avilible with really good MPG and a very reliable engine? obviously i need something that isnt ridiculously priced like most cars. you seem like you know a great deal about cars, so it makes sence to ask you if you wouldnt mind helping.

Im not looking for just new cars, but also older cars. The newer ones seem to be moslty front wheel drive and have traction control witch is pointless in my opinion as a good driver can easily control the power at the clutch, and real drivers use engine breaking as well as normal brakes. In addition to this some newer cars look quite ugly and some look femenine and small.

Also I hate automatic transmition its gutless and horrible, i prefer manual. Im also looking for somthing without aircon, as its just another thing that can go wrong.

I am a Canadian viewer and have enjoyed the show for many many years but, some months back Motor Week stopped being aired on the 2 PBS channels I receive via sat/dish.

Will the show return ?

It is simply the best and I miss it!

PS: the feeds I receive are USA.

With Mazda's long affliation with Ford, why don't they utilize the the hybrid technology from the Ford Fusion on the Mazda6? In terms of style, performance, and MPG, you could easily argue it would be the best combination in this market- much nicer than the Fusion Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid, or Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid.

My saab jerks when I'm pressing on the accelerator. Its feels like a cylinder is cutting out. I replaced the Direct Ignition and the spark plugs and I'm still getting the same problem. What would be my next step to solving this problem.

Hi, John. I've been a big MotorWeek fan since I was 5-6 years old (1992). Really enjoy the professionalism you bring to the show!

Just wondering, but how do you think Chrysler will pan out in its recent team-up with Fiat? Just a few years ago, Nissan did the same thing with Renault for almost the same reasons (financial problems).

I know the gov recently released a program to stimulate the sale of new cars using the "Cash for Clunkers" program but I am wondering if there are any programs you know of that are going to be released for people who are not driving clunkers? On the one hand, it is decidedly a good idea to get gas guzzlers off the road and after looking at the program in detail, I almost wish I owned an old car to trade in. But I don't and it is worth substantially more than scrap value. I also think that many people who drive clunkers may not be in a situation where, despite the age or condition of their vehicle, be able to afford a new car note. So I tend to think the current Clunkers program only fits a few of the many potential buyers of new vehicles. Are there any programs for those who aren't driving clunkers? Is this all a PR tool for the current administration? Angela McCall

I think you hit it right on the head. These clunkers that are being taken off the road aren't even going to make a noticeable dent in overall emissions, so firstly, that notion about being a green initiative is bunk. Secondly, people that drive clunkers are not in a position to buy a new car for the most part. This sounds like the same nonsense that went on in the housing market; giving loans to underqualified people. Thirdly, the government has stakes in big auto and to do a rebate that's taxpayer funded is a HUGE conflict of interest. Washington big wigs are all greedy, insidious, power mongers.

HD broadcast for Motor Week is great, except that on non-hd tv's the picture comes through showing cars, people, etc. as being thin. Also, the sound is terrible. Sounds like talking inside a tin can. Same on all 4 of my non-hd t.v.'s, but pretty good on my hd set.

Chef Lydia Bastianich has shown remarkable regeneratin of her hair. Is it possible to share her remarkable sucess with us. My daughter is a young woman who has the same problem, and is desperate for a solution.

I have a 1991 Honda Accord SE which I baby. I thought it was time to get new radiator hoses, and asked the serviceman to replace them. The radiator itself was removed to change the lower hose. I have heard that this may damage the radiator...or something else. Further, if they were going to take out the radiator, I'd rather have a new one than the same old one. I was not consulted. What is your take on this situation?

Hi John,

My husband and I are long-time watchers of MOTORWEEK, and sometimes readers of the magazine.

As an automotive industry insider and expert, what do you think about the bailout? It's been about a year now since the recession hit and all of us in blue collar America are still feeling the hurt, yet I somehow doubt that the same can be said for leading automotive executives (what with their million dollar bonuses). You've been around the industry for a long time -- do you think we did the right thing giving a big auto loan to people with bad credit, who have proven themselves unable to manage companies effectively, who are supposed to be the ones giving out loans, not receiving them?

Dear Motorweek,

What is the difference in using spark plugs with single vs dual ground electrodes?

Thanks,

Tommy Mantini
San Antonio, TX