Q: Three nights in a row, I have seen a medicine commercial on TV that features a car with no nameplate of any kind, front, back or side. The car is obviously an orange 1964 and a half Mustang. (I should know because I had one in my early years only it was brown.) Why no name plates on the car? Is this going to be a trend of having no identification? Wouldn't that be free advertising?

R.F., Warrenville, Illinois

A: The issue is known in the industry as product placement. Sometimes companies pay to have their products appear in the movie or TV show. Other times, the producers will disguise a product in avoid paying a licensing fee. The pharmaceutical company’s ad agency turned that Mustang into a generic automobile.

Q: As an owner of a Mustang Mach E, I was troubled by your answer regarding regenerative braking and coasting. One of the great delights of an EV is that it offers one pedal driving without ever (almost ever) touching the brake pedal. I drove from Pennsylvania to California and maybe hit the brake pedal 10 times during the entire trip. It is a game changer, in my opinion. But the question was whether coasting in an EV results in regeneration. It absolutely does and is a major factor in range extension. Your answer was correct for gas-electric hybrids but not for the EV that the questioner inquired about.

S.W., Allentown, Pennsylvania

A: Right you are. True EVs do have regenerative braking while coasting.

Q: Any idea what causes the moldy or musty smell when I start up the vehicle (2014 Ford Escape). I had the cabin filter changed, but that didn't help.

G.H., Golden Valley, Minnesota

A: This is more a seasonal issue occurring in the summer. Condensation from the A/C can collect in the HVAC housing creating a home for bacteria and other yucky stuff. There’s a drain hose to let the water out. That’s why you see water on the ground below your car in the summer. To a lesser degree this could happen in the cooler months since running the windshield defroster enlists the A/C to dry the air. That hose may be clogged.

Q: I was wondering if you had any information regarding oil leaks or oil burning in Chevy Traverse SUVs. I have 85,000 miles on my 2020 Chevy Traverse, and last November I saw a message on my dashboard that said engine oil low and replace oil. The dipstick was dry, and I was 2 quarts low yet never had seen an oil leak in my garage or driveway. I haven’t had any issues with the car since buying it new in 2020. Just about 2 weeks ago, the same message appeared on my dash and again the dipstick was dry, and my car was 2 quarts low. I brought the car to my mechanic, and they couldn’t find anything wrong. I was told to check the oil every 1,000 miles and bring the car back in to see if this happens again. Have you heard of this? Any ideas what is happening?

Thanks,

P.L., Chicago

A: The oil may be getting sucked into the engine. Often, a hose leading from the valve cover gets clogged causing oil to collect at the PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve area. Replacing both the hose and valve may cure the thirst for oil.

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