Diane

I got roped into writing a column for a comical fictional newspaper. Not a cutting edge project, I realize. Even worse, I was asked to write an automotive advice column and I barely know where to insert my keys to start my car. Is this beyond stupid? Too dry?

Automotive Corner: Biff Caldwell, nephew of Bob Caldwell, owner of Bob’s World ‘O’ Used Cars answers readers’ questions.

Q: My 1994 Mitsubishi Mirage seems to be losing gasoline very quickly. I fill it up and before I drive much further than 200 miles, I have to fill it again. What could be causing this? I don’t see any signs of a leak anywhere.

Christine Sharp, Nashua

Biff answers: I wouldn’t be too concerned about that, Christine. Your Mitsubishi is burning the gas as fuel which is fairly typical for internal combustion engines. If you are getting 200 miles to a tank, that’s not bad mileage for an older vehicle.

Q: My 1982 4-speed Chevy Citation hatchback has 325,000 miles on it. The transmission was replaced entirely in 2011 and I have recently put in a new Die-Hard Pro-Stop battery. Will one of those pine tree air-fresheners affect its performance?

Jean LaPointe, Plaistow

Biff answers: It shouldn’t be a problem, Jean. The air-freshener operates independently of your car’s power train.