Dear Tom and Ray:

Help! I am truly desperate. I have this adorable 1975 Volkswagen Bug, baby blue with daisy decals. It's been completely overhauled both inside and out. It's beautiful. The only problem is that I live in Colorado, and it's COLD. One shop recommends a gasoline heater. It's guaranteed to toast my tootsies for $250. Another VW shop says "Don't do it -- it's a fire hazard." I really want to be toasty, but I don't want to catch fire. Do you have an opinion on gasoline heaters and/or do you have any other suggestions? Please answer soon, I'm losing the feeling in my extremities! -- Susan

Ray: Sorry to hear it, Susan. Unfortunately, I have vivid memories of using a fire extinguisher on more than one of those gasoline heaters in my day. So I would second the vote against it.

Tom: You know how these things work, don't you? They have a spark plug, and they take gasoline right from the gas tank and burn it to create heat. It's one step less barbaric than building a campfire between the front seats -- which we also advise against, by the way.

Ray: The solution is obvious, Susan. You need to accelerate the arrival of global warming in Colorado. You can start by driving around spraying an aerosol can out your window at all times.

Tom: Don't say that!! We're going to get more hate mail than you've ever seen!

Ray: All right, forget that, Susan. Here's my real suggestion. First, replace your old heater boxes and repair the duct work, if necessary. The heater in this car didn't work very well when it was new, but it did provide some heat. And your heater boxes probably just rusted away. Plus, your vents may not be connected tightly. So that's the first thing I'd do -- get whatever heat you can out of the original technology.

Tom: And then I'd go and buy myself the warmest pair of Bronko Nagurski long underwear you can find. Seriously, you need to dress more warmly. I know it's not high tech, but at least it's safe. New heater boxes, a set of long johns, warm gloves and pair of electric socks ought to keep you nice and toasty without attracting the attention of the local fire department. Good luck, Susan.

Changing your oil regularly 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.

© 2000 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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