Newsletter | Rockdale Reporter

Ask the Motor Medics

News Staff

Wed, 09/10/2025 - 11:22

Dear Motor Medics, We purchased a two-year-old Ford truck that has the flex fuel option. I’ve never owned a flex fuel ve hicle so I read the owner’s manual and, at your sug gestion, went to fueleconomy.gov to get an idea of what kind of mileage it should get.

Ask the Motor Medics®

News Staff

Wed, 09/03/2025 - 13:23

Dear Motor Medics,I have a 2017 Ford Escape with an EcoBoost 1.6 engine and I am having a heating problem. Over the winter, the heat was getting less warm inside of the cabin. The engine temperature gauge did not changed and if I switched to the digital read out it says 190 once warmed up.

Is Social Security still taxable?

News Staff

Wed, 09/03/2025 - 13:07

Dear Savvy Senior, Do I have to pay taxes on my Social Security retirement benefits? I heard that President Trump’s big, beautiful bill eliminated that. What can you tell me?

Ask the Motor Medics®

News Staff

Wed, 08/27/2025 - 11:19

Dear Motor Medics, I have a car that needs a timing belt and it is going to cost over $1,000 to change. That sounds crazy to me. I have had belts changed before on my cars and they have never been more than $50 but none of my cars have had timing belts.

Restless leg syndrome info

News Staff

Wed, 08/27/2025 - 11:16

Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about restless leg syndrome? Over the past year or so I’ve developed an uncontrollable urge to move my legs because of an annoying tingling sensation, and it’s keeping me awake at night.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

Finding a good handyman

S Avvy Enior By Jim Miller

Wed, 08/20/2025 - 10:33

Dear Savvy Senior, What’s the best way to find a good handyman or tradesman that can help with small jobs around the house? Almost 75 Dear Almost, It’s a great question. Finding a good home repair/handyman can be a bit of a crapshoot.

Ask the Motor Medics

News Staff

Wed, 08/20/2025 - 10:33

Dear Motor Medics, I have been having issues with my vehicle for sev eral months with a warning light for both ABS and Trac on my dash. Both the red and the amber lights are on and when they come on the message “service stability” also appears in the message center.

Does Medicare cover ambulances

S Avvy Enior By Jim Miller

Wed, 08/13/2025 - 11:06

Dear Savvy Senior, A few months ago, I took an ambulance to the hospital emergency room because I had a nasty fall at home, but just received a hefty $ 1,050 bill from the ambulance company. Doesn’t Medicare cover ambulance rides?

Ask the Motor Medics

News Staff

Wed, 08/13/2025 - 11:06

Dear Motor Medics, I want to know about cabin air filters. Dan in Larchwood Iowa Dear Dan, It’s good to know if your car or truck is equipped with a cabin air filter. A large majority of cars and trucks made in recent years have one and you need to find out if yours is equipped.

Ask the Motor Medics®

News Staff

Wed, 08/06/2025 - 11:40

Dear Motor Medics, I want to repair the rear defroster on my Chrysler Town & Country van. We haul a lot of stuff in the van for our small business and, over the years, items have scratched the defroster grid on the glass and, I assume, that is why it does not work.