Dear Tom and Ray:
Our names are Pete and Charley, and we've had an ongoing discussion for years about a certain subject. Your answer to this question will result in one of us getting a free breakfast. We've both agreed that your answer to this question will be considered gospel, so think out the answer very carefully.Charley maintains that when you downshift, the engine speed increases, and therefore you are using more gas than if you didn't downshift. Pete says when you downshift, your foot is off the gas, therefore you can't be using any more gas. Who's right? - Pete and Charley
RAY: Sorry, Charley. What you may not realize is that there are two ways you can make the engine go faster. One is by stepping on the gas. Obviously, that uses more gas (even my brother can figure that out). Stepping on the gas makes the engine go faster, which makes the wheels go faster.
TOM: But the opposite happens when you downshift. The spinning wheels make the engine go faster. And in that case, you're not using any additional gasoline, because your foot's not on the gas pedal.
RAY: So does that mean you should downshift to your heart's content? Absolutely not. Downshifting is Number 15 on our list of "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" (we were never very good at math). And by the way, you can get a copy of the pamphlet by sending $3 and a stamped (52 cents), self-addressed No.10 envelope to Ruin No.1, P.O. Box 6420, Riverton, NJ 08077-6420.
TOM: When you downshift, you may not be using any additional gas, but you're wearing out your clutch. So unless you're going down a long, steep hill and need to keep your speed under control, we don't recommend downshifting to slow the car.
RAY: So if this discussion of yours has really been going on for a couple of years, you guys might as well just hold off on that breakfast. You can have it together while you're waiting for your clutches to be replaced.
Dear Tom and Ray:
Do you have any secret formula for getting a convertible top white? Right now it is just "dingy" white. - Barbara
TOM: Well, whenever I need to whiten-up the top on my '63 Dodge Dart, I just park it under the power lines where all the pigeons sit. Then I just have to hope they've been drinking a lot of milk that day.
RAY: Actually, your dealership or an automotive detailer can probably restore your convertible top for you, Barbara. Or, if you're feeling daring, you could try it yourself.
TOM: It's a little tricky. When dealerships and detailers do it, they use a full-strength cleaner (similar to Janitor in a Drum, Soft Scrub with Bleach or other stuff you can buy in your supermarket). But they're careful to run water from a hose over the top as they scrub it. The danger is, if you're not constantly diluting the cleaner with water, it could run down the sides of the car and streak the paint.
RAY: If you try it and it doesn't work, the other option is to "re-paint" the top. They actually call it "dyeing" rather than "painting" since the top is fabric. But your local body shop ought to be able to dye it for you for about $100. And if you ruined the paint while trying to clean it, you can have them repaint the rest of the car at the same time.
The Magliozzi brothers' radio show "Car Talk" can be heard each Saturday at 10 a.m. on KUER FM 90.1 If you have a question about cars, write to Click and Clack Talk Cars c/o King Features Syndicate, 235 East 45th Street, New York, N.Y. 10017.