Q: I read your article about a plastic headlight lens turning yellow. Is there anything that can be done to prevent it, such as wax?
— E.V., Chicago
A: Waxing the lenses helps prevent them from clouding up. As a matter of fact, wax the lenses when the car is new. We also have heard of people using paint protecting film, but have no personal experience with using it on headlight lenses.
Q: In a recent article, you said to put the new winter tires on the rear. Does it matter if the car is front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive? And, should I install two winter tires or four?
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— B.K., Clarendon Hills, Ill.
A: It does not matter if the car is front-wheel drive or rear-wheel-drive. Install the winter (or new) tires on the rear. By all means, install winter tires at all four corners if you can afford it.
Q: I am elderly and do not drive much in the winter. My question is: To keep my car and battery going, how often should I drive the car, how long, and how far and at what speeds?
— M.O., Berlin, Conn.
A: A 15 to 20 minute drive every couple of weeks should do the trick. Be sure that you do not make any stops in between. Better yet, we would suggest you get a smart battery charger, the kind that senses the battery’s state of charge and does not overcharge and damage the battery.
Q: I use a 50 to 1 mixture of gas to oil in my snowblower. At the end of winter, I always have some left in the can. Can I put the gas mixture in my lawn mower or will the oil gum up my engine.
— L.R., Bourbonnais, Ill.
A: We trust that your mower has a four-stroke engine so we would advise against it. At the very least, the spark plug could get fouled. Put the leftover gas in your car.
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