Dear Tom and Ray:

I have a 1979 Toyota Corolla that starts in Park, Neutral, AND Drive. It was my understanding that cars are only supposed to star in Park or Neutral, not Drive. Is this something I should worry about? Or is it just a quirk with my car? The only problem it causes me is when I leave the car in Drive and take the key out, and then try to restart it without checking. I came close to hitting someone in front of me because of this. Mark

Tom: This is something you SHOULD worry about, Mark. Especially since you're too absend minded to remember to put the car in Park when you shut off the engine.

Ray: The device that prevents the car from starting in Drive is called the neutral safety switch. When they fail, they fail in a way that prevents you from starting the car in ANY gear.

Tom: So my guess is the previous owner of this car had a problem with the neutral safety switch, and just had a mechanic by-pass it. That allowed the car to start again--in any gear. But as you've so ably demonstrated, that wasn't a very bright thing to do.

Ray: Take the car to your mechanic and have a new neutral safety switch installed, Mark. It won't cost you much. And if it keeps you from bashing into one mobster's Town Car, believe us, it'll be well worth it.

Spending a little money now on "preventive maintenance" can save you big bucks down the road. Find out how by ordering Tom and Ray's pamphlet "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1995 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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