Q.  With the alcohol content of gasoline these days, is “dry gas” still necessary? I know that dry gas and gasoline each have different types of alcohol, but do they act the same way?

A.  The alcohol in gasoline is ethanol. The alcohol in gas-line antifreeze is usually methanol or isopropyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol binds with the water that can end up in tank and then mixes with the fuel so is can be burned during normal combustion. Ethanol by nature will do the same thing, but over time it will separate from the gasoline and cause problems. This isn’t an issue with the sealed fuel systems in today’s cars, but it may be a problem with an open gas can used for a lawn mower. 

Q.  I have a 1998 Buick Regal GS with 104,000 miles on it. At about 30,000 miles an engine leak began. GM has built so many of these 3.8-liter engines, yet I have two and both leak oil. There was a recent recall on the valve-cover gasket that has been addressed, but it still leaks oil. Could it be the front seal or the oil-pan gasket? Why can’t GM get this one right? GM has recommended that this vehicle not be parked in a garage because the oil leak can lead to a fire. What are your thoughts?

A.  I agree with you—after so many years, you’d think General Motors could build this engine so it wouldn’t leak oil. At this point, I’d go back to the dealer and have them add a dye to the oil and check for the source of the leak. With the latest recall, GM did come up with a slightly revised procedure to replace the valve-cover gasket.

Q.  How do you think the earthquake/tsunami in Japan will affect automakers there? I saw something mentioned in the news and I’d like to get your thoughts on it.

A.  Time will tell how this tragic event affects the Japanese car companies. This is a much bigger problem than just the vehicle manufacturers—parts suppliers also were affected. From what I understand, plants operated by Toyota and Nissan sustained damage, but it was not structural. As I am writing this, Mazda and Subaru have temporarily shut down due to parts shortages.

Q.  I recently looked at a car for sale with a salvage title. What’s your opinion of buying a car with a salvage title? The seller said the damage was only to the door and the car looks great.

A.  Be very careful buying a car with a salvage title. Let’s face it, the insurance company wouldn’t have totaled the car if the door were the only damage. If the car wasn’t repaired properly by a professional body shop, at a minimum the car could have wind and water leaks. At the worst, the car now may lack structural rigidity, which would compromise the safety of the occupants in a crash.

Q.  Do you think there’s still a future is the auto-repair business? My grandson is considering going into this field after high school.

A.  I certainly believe there is a bright future for the automotive repair business. Today, people are keeping their cars longer than ever and cars are getting more complicated. Recently, I was at a local vocational school and it was agreed by industry professionals that today’s students are the technicians of tomorrow and that these technicians are absolutely necessary. Technicians today need to be computer programmers and critical thinkers, as well as being good with their hands.

Reader comment: I always read your column and I know you reach a lot folks, so please give everyone a reminder: All drivers should turn on their lights at dusk. The purpose for car lights is not just so you can see, but also so others can see you coming. I sometimes count the cars I see after dark or almost dark without their lights turned on. I can see at least three within a 20-mile trip. Turning on your car lights too early can do no harm, but turning them on too late can be disastrous.