VINS carry quite a bit of information about car

Q: My question: With all the cars that have been made, are being made and that will be made, how the heck do they avoid duplicating VIN numbers? — D.E., Westchester, Illinois

A: Vehicle identification numbers (VINS) can tell you quite a bit about your car. The first group of three numbers and letters identifies the county of origin. The number 1 is for the U.S., 3 is for Mexico, S is for Germany, for example.

The next group of numbers is usually the make name such as Ford. Skipping to the 10th position, letters B through Y indicate the model year from 1981 (the year NHTSA standardized the system) through 2000. Then numbers indicate the model year from 2010 through 2030.

Q: I drive a 2016 Mazda CX-5 with 62,000 miles. I had the wheels rotated and when I drove it home, the first time I used the brakes at a stop sign, the steering wheel began to dramatically shake. It eventually resorted to normal as I drove further. What happened? — B.W., Chicago

A: Check the lug nuts. They should be snug. If they are tightened unevenly, a hub or rotor may be damaged. Gently drive back to the shop for inspection.

Q: My 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan has a unique method of bolting the battery cable to the battery.

Can you please explain how to properly fasten the cable to the battery?

Even the tech was baffled. — W.U., Tinley Park, Illinois

A: The nut closest to the battery terminal provides the clamping force.

Q: We have been changing the oil of our 2018 Honda CR-V whenever the on-dash indicator tells us. We started to take the car to a local mechanic instead of the dealer. He states the indicator oil change interval is too long and recommends every 5,000 miles.

They also recommend flushing and cleaning prior to placing the new oil due to the oil being too dirty. What is your opinion on the oil change interval and the flushing and cleaning? — G.R., Barrington, Illinois

A: Unless an engine has been so neglected that there appears to be tar on the dipstick, I wouldn’t even consider flushing the engine.

Modern motor oil is a miracle of chemical technology. It contains all the detergents you need. Follow the carmaker’s schedule.

Bob Weber is a writer and mechanic who became an Asecertified master automobile technician in 1976. Send questions along with name and town to motormouth.tribune@gmail.com.