Question: I just heard on the news that Microsoft has announced a special version of Windows for automotive application. It sounds like my future cars will have computer-Internet interfaces hard-wired as standard equipment. I generally keep my cars for eight to 10 years, but my computers get outdated after two to three years. Will I now be expected to buy a new car every two to three years just to update the darn computers? On top of that, I often have Windows crash on my PC, with miserable results. What happens if it crashes while I'm driving? Will your next bumper sticker say "Get Offline and Drive!"? — Eric
Ray: Oh, Eric. My brother's already getting "Veinous Bulgemous." I can see the veins in his forehead swelling in anticipation of a rant . . .
Tom: That's right because I'm vehemently opposed to this stuff! They call this stuff "telematics." And they say that before long, we'll all be able to surf the Web and read our e-mail while we're driving. Can you imagine anything more stupid than that?
Ray: Besides, why is Microsoft wasting its time developing Windows for cars? Both of my cars already have windows.
Tom: Think about what society will get with in-car Internet access: Instead of having your family killed by a driver who's distractedly talking to his broker on a cell phone, they can get killed by a guy who's distractedly ordering candy from www.toothrot.com.
Ray: Ah, progress! My brother's right, though. We're not getting this stuff because a just and civilized society demands it. We're getting telematics because it represents a business opportunity for car companies and computer companies.
Tom: If they put an Internet-ready computer in your car, you'll need to buy monthly wireless service, right? And who's going to sell you the service? The car company — or an Internet provider in partnership with the car company.
Ray: And don't believe the cell phone and computer industry's baloney; this stuff is an absolute danger to everyone on the road — and even to people on the sidewalk, in my opinion. The problem is not that a driver's hands will be distracted by the computer — the computers will likely be voice-activated — the problem is that the driver's MIND will be distracted by the computer.
Tom: Here's the deal: If the stuff is designed to ONLY work when the car is stopped, we might be willing to keep our mouths shut and go along with it. But if they make it so a driver can use it while he's driving, you'd better believe we're going to be campaigning loudly and obnoxiously against it.
Ray: Which is something my brother is particularly good at. Trust me.
Question: I have a 1996 Toyota 4Runner with a five-speed transmission and 130,000 miles. I take good care of it, and I know how to drive. It still has the original clutch, which works fine. But I know it will eventually wear out and need replacing. Here's the question: I have two weeks off coming up. Should I use the two weeks to replace the clutch? Until now, I have always used the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" rule. — Charles
Tom: So do we. More important, if it ain't broke, don't break it!
Ray: Well, you say that the clutch is fine, Charles, but you should really make sure "it ain't broke" before making a decision. There's a simple test you can do yourself. Drive up to a large tree, or another immovable object.
Tom: Like a mother-in-law?
Ray: Sure, that qualifies. And with the front of the car touching the immovable object and the engine running, set the parking brake and put the car in fifth gear.
Tom: Then give it a bunch of gas (as if you were starting off on a hill) and slowly let out the clutch. If the car stalls, the clutch is fine. That's what's supposed to happen. But if the car continues to run in fifth gear with the clutch pedal all the way out, then the clutch is slipping and it does need to be replaced.
Ray: In which case two weeks ought to be just about enough time, Charles. Especially if you work weekends. Good luck.
Question: My question is in regard to proper tire pressure. When you buy a new car, the owner's manual tells you to abide by the sticker inside the door post. My present car calls for 30 psi in all four tires. But when I get the car back from the dealer, the tires generally have 36-38 psi. Do they know something I don't? — Howard
Ray: No, you apparently know something they don't, Howard. Either their equipment is inaccurate, or they're just being careless.
Tom: Or perhaps, after the Firestone tread-separation debacle, they're so afraid of underinflating tires that they're being overzealous and overinflating them.
Ray: But you're absolutely right, Howard. If you have the original tires on your car, or approved replacements that are the same size, then the pressure recommendation in the owner's manual (or on the door post) is the one to follow.
Tom: Just be sure YOUR measurements are accurate. You have to use a good-quality tire gauge. We recommend the round gauges with the needle, rather than the "pencil" type gauges with the pop-up indicator.
Ray: And be sure you're measuring the pressure when the tires are relatively cool, since heat from driving can dramatically increase the pressure. So if you take a 30-minute drive home from the dealer — including a jaunt on the highway — and then hop out of the car and measure the pressure, it's likely to be inflated by the heat generated during the drive, and it will give you an inaccurate reading.
Tom: But if you're checking the pressure with a good gauge when the tires are cool, you have every right to ask the guys at the dealership (nicely) to shape up and be a little more careful from now on.
The Magliozzi brothers' radio show, "Car Talk," can be heard Saturdays at 10 a.m. and Sundays at noon on KUER FM 90.1, and on KCPW 88.3/105.1 FM Saturdays at 9 a.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m. If you have a question about cars, write to Click and Clack Talk Cars c/o King Features Syndicate, 235 East 45th St., New York, NY 10017. You can e-mail them by visiting the Car Talk section of the Web site www.cars.com.