Q: ​I drive a 1998 Toyota that has 62,000 miles on it. I have read your column faithfully for years and have learned so much from you. As you can tell from the mileage on my car, I barely put 2,000 miles on it in a year. The most I might drive in a day is 3-5 miles and sometimes I go days without driving at all. Also, I never do expressway driving. The recommendation for an oil change is 3,000-5,000 miles. Since it is usually years before I put that much mileage on my car, how often do you recommend I get the oil changed? In the past, I've been doing the oil change every 18 months to 2 years.

C.F., Naperville, Illinois

A: Short trips, where the engine doesn’t reach operating temperature, are hard on the oil. Engines are actually happier with expressway driving. What does your owner’s manual say? Most likely it will tell you to change the oil annually.

Q: I use the power liftgate on my 2017 Lincoln MKX quite often, a good percentage when the engine is not running. Recently after loading up the back at midnight, I tried to start the car, and the battery was completely dead, maybe a few clicks. What was weird was not getting any kind of prior hints that the battery was starting to fail. The technician just blamed Florida heat. I've since started closing my liftgate by hand instead of hitting the button when the car is off thinking that might take stress off the battery. Am I helping the cause or maybe doing damage by overriding the liftgate motor?

K.M., The Villages, Florida

A: You may be helping the cause for stronger muscles, but you're doing nothing to help or harm the liftgate or its motor. Maybe your Lincoln’s battery isn’t being charged because you’re driving your golf cart more than your SUV.

Q: I recently purchased a 2024 Nissan Frontier crew cab SUV. Planning on this being my last. My wife insists that I am ruining the transmission when I come to a stop light and put it in neutral. I say it doesn't and it puts less strain on the brakes. Appreciate your input as this is for dinner at Mr. Mike's Restaurant in Haverhill.

D.M., Haverhill, Massachusetts

A: If the vehicle isn’t moving, there is no wear to the brakes. And neither shifting into neutral nor leaving the transmission in gear has any detrimental effect. Although I appreciate the dinner offer, I suggest you two kiss and make up over an after-dinner digestif.

Q: My 2011 Acura MDX and my 2015 Lexus RX 350 are both closing in on 100,000 miles. Both run great. How critical is it to change the timing belts and spark plugs now? My mechanic says changing the timing belt can wait. Your thoughts?

D.W., Glenview, Illinois

A: Both the Acura and the Lexus have interference engines. That means that, if the timing belt or chain breaks, the valves and pistons crash into and destroy one another. Replacing the engine costs thousands of dollars. Replacing the belt is usually around $1,500. Acura suggests replacement between 60,000 and 100,000 miles. Might as well swap out the spark plugs while the car is in the shop. The Lexus, however, has a timing chain that should last a lifetime.

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