2000 Chevy S-10 mileage: 50,000. I have a Chevy S-10 with very low mileage. It has no AC. It is in excellent over all condition. Recently I began to have acceleration problems. It runs great when cold and sometimes even when heats up. But most of the time, once it warms up, it pops and sputters on acceleration. I can't figure it out. Fuel pump weak after warm-up! Fuel regulator valve! Electrical! I hope you can help.

Question: 1986 Ford Tempo 2.3 mileage: 68,000. When you apply pressure to the accelerator there is a hesitation, then jerks and then accelerates. I have replaced the spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, rotor button and fuel filter. Any ideas? Answer: If the oxygen sensor has not been recently replaced, a new one should be installed. Also, perform a fuel pump pressure test. Clean fuel injection system including throttle bore, idle speed control motor and passages. If the problem still exists, scan the computer for trouble codes.

After a car accident, I had my car repaired at a body shop my insurance company referred me to. But I'm not happy with the work that was done--is there anything I can do about it?

Is a broken windshield covered under my auto policy deductible? Broken windshields and other glass are typically covered under the comprehensive coverage portion of an auto insurance policy. Comprehensive generally provides coverage for physical damage to your vehicle caused not by a collision with an object or another vehicle, but by a variety of other specific perils. This type of coverage is optional in most states and, if purchased, will usually raise your premium and carry deductibles. It may or may not be cost effective, depending on the value of your vehicle.

Actually, it's very unlikely that any type of insurance would be canceled after you file a single claim. However, filing a claim could increase your premium on certain types of insurance. For example, your auto insurance premium will almost certainly increase after an accident, especially if you're at fault. The reason for this is simple: actuarial evidence indicates that people who have had accidents in the past are more likely to have accidents again in the future. This means the insurance company could see another claim from you someday, so there is a logical reason to charge you more for insurance coverage. The big question is how much your premium will increase. This is more difficult to anticipate, because insurance companies can use different formulas to calculate rate increases.

If your son is borrowing your car to take with him to college, he must be listed as either a principal driver or an occasional driver on your insurance policy. Most insurance companies will consider someone as the principal driver on the policy if he or she: Is the registered owner of the vehicle, Drives the vehicle to work or school, or Drives the vehicle more than anyone else.

The connection between a driver's safety record and credit rating is not readily apparent to most. Many consumers feel that insurance companies are intrusive when they request such information on an automobile insurance application. Insurance companies explain that credit information is needed to make a complete risk analysis when evaluating an insurance application. It seems that there is a connection between credit risk and safety risk. Although there is no explanation for the findings, some insurance company statistics show that drivers with derogatory credit, historically file more accident claims than drivers without derogatory credit. Insurers reason that a consumer who is careful with one aspect of their life (e.g., financial affairs) is also likely to be careful with other aspects of their life (e.g., driving habits). Credit information is also needed to determine whether an applicant is likely to pay premiums in a timely fashion.

In most states, the motor vehicles department has a "point" system, which is used to track your driving record. Generally, each type of infraction (moving violations, parking tickets, at-fault accidents, driving under the influence, etc.) is assigned a certain point value. When you are found guilty of one of these infractions, the appropriate number of points is added to your driving record. The more points you have, the worse your record.

You're right to be concerned for your son, but he can probably find an insurance policy even if he's been driving without one for some time. The real question is: How much will it cost him? Before issuing a policy, insurance companies generally do a thorough investigation of a driver's record and prior claims history. They will check to see whether your son has gotten any tickets in the past several years or whether he has reported an unusual number of accidents. When they discover that he doesn't have a prior claims history (because he hasn't had insurance), he'll probably be classified as a high-risk driver--even if he has a clean driving record.

These factors cause insurance premiums to rise for drivers entering their 60s, and to increase thereafter. This increase is often moderated by other factors, which may include discounts for fewer miles driven per year. One way your father can improve his skills--and perhaps reduce the cost of his car insurance--is by taking a driver improvement course. Many states require insurance discounts for drivers (usually those over 55) who complete a state-certified course, while other states allow insurers to offer voluntary discounts for those who complete such a course. An insurance agent can provide information on available discounts and course requirements.