Dear Tom and Ray:

We've just purchased a new Ford Ranger pickup. The salesman told us the air conditioner should be turned off before turning off the ignition when we park the pickup. He said something about it making the O-rings last longer. We could find nothing in the owner's manual about this. What do you think? -- Joyce

Ray: Well, this salesman is obviously a rocket scientist. He must have worked on NASA's space shuttle program since he's so intimately familiar with O-ring technology.

Tom: Actually, he's nuts, Joyce. I think he's suffering from PMS: Post Manipulation Syndrome. He knows he's just done a song and dance and talked you into buying all kinds of stuff you don't need: the power moonroof, the pin-striping, the crushed Corinthian interior. And now that he's actually talked you out of your money, he's feeling a little bit remorseful.

Ray: Not remorseful enough to give you any of it back. But he does want to ease his conscience by giving you something. So what does he give you? Advice.

Tom: Lame advice, as it turns out, but advice nonetheless. Turning off the air conditioner before you turn off the engine makes no difference to the air conditioner or the engine.

Ray: He probably doesn't even know his advice is useless. He's in a remorseful, cathartic trance after the sale, so he really can't be held responsible for his actions. Just pat him on the shoulder and tell him to give 100 bucks to charity when he comes to.

Changing your oil is the cheapest insurance you can buy for your car, but how often should you change it? Find out 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.

© 1996 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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