Q. I have an Oldsmobile Silhouette van with just over 200,000 miles. It still runs fine, but I have to maintain and repair it often. I run a small business repairing office equipment in the city. and the size of this van has been perfect. Now I am thinking about buying a new van and have a $25,000 budget. Is there something you can suggest?

A. My favorite new van is the Ford Transit Connect. It offers great use of space, and its four-cylinder engine is designed for city use. The payload capacity is generous and with a base price just under $21,000, it fits your budget nicely.

Q. I have a two-part question regarding two vehicles. My 2001 Camry has been great for about ten years, but, recently, the engine will just cut out and at the same time the lights will go dim. It will restart, usually, although very hard. It has about 85,000 miles, which seems low for a Toyota, but they are mostly hard city miles. About two months ago, we had it checked out—there were no trouble codes, and the alternator was fine. Have you heard of anything like this with vehicles? Also, while my truck was being repaired, I was given a GMC Terrain as a loaner, and my wife really liked it. If it is time to move on from the Toyota, do you have any thoughts on the 2010 Terrain?

A. I wouldn’t rule out the alternator. If it has an intermittent problem, it could easily cause the symptoms you describe. Regarding the GMC Terrain, the first model I drove was front wheel drive and had the four-cylinder engine. I came away with an overall opinion that this was just an average vehicle and was not going to save General Motors. I recently drove a six-cylinder, all-wheel-drive Terrain, and my opinion has changed. The six-cylinder engine was responsive while delivering good mileage. The handling was improved over the four cylinder version. My biggest complaint with the Terrain was the wide turning radius.

Q. I have a 1969 340 4-speed Barracuda. I would like to drive it, but it has not been started for at least five years. It ran fine before it was taken off the road. What procedures would you recommend I use in starting up the engine? I do not want to break a piston ring or something. Should oil be added to the cylinders to provide lubrication before I try to start it?

A. I would start with draining the fuel tank and oil. Add fresh oil and fuel. Remove the spark plugs and add about one once of light oil (I prefer Marvel Mystery Oil) and let the engine sit over night. Using a fully charged battery try cranking the engine. If the engine doesn’t crank, add more oil and let the engine sit again overnight. Once you get the engine cranking over, check the ignition and fuel system. Once you get the car to start, allow it to get up to operating temperature. Prior to driving the car, replace the coolant, oil and brake fluid. Perform a thorough inspection of the car, checking brakes, suspension, belts and hoses. After a few “shake down miles,” check the car over again. It is not unusual for old oil seals and gaskets to leak after being stored for a long period of time.

Q. Just before leaving for a month's vacation, I had the tires and valves checked on my 2004 Ford Freestar van. Over the past year, the “Check Tires” light has come on a number of times. The tires were checked, the light was turned off, and my van returned to rest in our garage for the month of March. When we returned home and I started the car, the “Check Tires” light was back on. In that I have to return to the Ford dealer to have the light turned off, I am beginning to get more than slightly annoyed. I wish my local mechanic was able to turn off the light! What can I do?

A. The problem should be as easy as adding the correct amount of air to the tires. Once the tire pressure is brought up to the specification listed in your vehicles owner’s manual or door sticker, the light should go out after a short drive. If the system does need to be reset there are no special tools required. This is the procedure for most vehicles like the Freestar: To reset the system, press and hold the odometer reset button and wait for the "TIRE PRESSURE SET" light to illuminate. Continue to press the button for 3 seconds, then release. After 3 seconds, the low tire pressure warning lamp will flash 3 times, indicating that the low tire warning system reset procedure is complete. If the tire pressure is correct, there could be a problem with one of the sensors. Most tire stores have the tools necessary to test the tire pressure monitoring system.

Q. I have a 2006 Honda Accord and just recently installed 18-inch rims on the vehicle with 245/40R18 tires. The problem is that now the rear tires scratch against the body of the car on bumps. How do I raise the rear of my car to eliminate this problem?

A. The 18 inch wheels may not be the right fit for the car. It isn’t just wheel size; it is also the wheel offset that is important for correct fit. If you have no choice but to keep the wheels, you have two options. You could have a body shop look at the car, perhaps they can “roll” the fenders for added clearance. The second, and far less desirable choice, would be swapping out the springs. This will change the handling and ride characteristics and would not be my first choice.

Q. I have an antique 1965 Mercury Montclair with the big 390 cubic inch V-8 engine. For safety sake, I would like to change the brakes to a duel master cylinder. Is it possible to add a PCV system to this old engine and replace the open breather system?

A. Years ago, I did perform both conversions. I simply hooked up a PCV to the draft tube and then added a breather to the valve cover; it seemed to work fine. Regarding the brake system, in the case of my car, I used salvage parts from a car a few years newer than mine. Today, there are complete kits available to convert the single master cylinder to the safer dual master cylinder design. You will need to replace some of the brake lines, the metering/proportioning valve, as well as the master cylinder and mounting bracket. To source the parts, try a publication such as Hemming Motor News. Rather than experiment and reinvent the process, talk to a local Ford/Mercury club, this is a common conversion, and I’m sure others would be happy to share their experiences.