Q. I own a 2005 Honda Accord Coupe, standard transmission, with 85,000 miles on it. It’s going to be off the road and garaged for the next three months. I just had the oil changed. Do you have any other maintenance and/or storage tips while it’s stored? I do have someone who can periodically start it up and “drive it around the block” on occasion. Also, do you have any advice on treatment when I begin to drive it again regularly?

A. When storing a car, even just for three months, there are a few things you should do. Top off all the vital fluids. (This should have been performed with the oil change but it wouldn’t hurt to double-check everything.) Fill the gas tank and add a fuel stabilizer. This will prevent the gasoline from getting stale and will help eliminate moisture. Keep the battery charged. Consider the use of a trickle or float charger. A float charger will maintain and not overcharge the battery. One of the best I have seen is the “Battery Tender.” If you have any problems with mice, you might want to try some of the home remedies submitted by readers (Bounce dryer sheets under the hood was the most popular suggestion). The best thing you can do to keep your car running well is have someone drive the car for 20-30 minutes every three weeks. It has been my experience that lack of use is harder on a car than abuse. Once you take the car out of storage, drive it like a brand new car.

Check the ignition switch

Q. I have just bought a 1996 Chevrolet half-ton pickup truck with four-wheel drive. I recently experienced a problem when there was no spark at the distributor and the truck wouldn’t start. We replaced the rotor, distributor cap, module, as well as the coil. It ran for 45 minutes but then quit again with no spark at the distributor. Any suggestions?

A. I would go back over the basics, just like you did when you first got the truck. It is possible that the ignition switch is faulty, but don’t overlook the possibility of one of the new parts being defective. I have seen many times that even brand new parts will fail shortly after installation.

Dodge dealership sought

Q. I’m looking for a person who can work on a Dodge Sprinter van. With so many Dodge dealerships closing, it is difficult to find a competent repair shop. I had a new engine installed with just 20,000 miles on it. It runs as long as the key is turned to crank, but once you let the key go the injectors lose the pulse and the truck quits.

A. I would start with scanning the vehicle’s computer for codes. The problem could be a faulty ignition switch, an immobilizer issue, or even a computer module. Since several Dodge dealers in New England have closed, you could also try a Mercedes or Freightliner dealer. Readers please e-mail me at jpaul@aaasne.com if you have a suggestion.

Put nitrogen in the tires?

Q. I was buying tires last week and the garage asked if I wanted nitrogen put in the tires. After a little discussion about how I could see an increase in fuel economy and my tires would last longer, I spent the extra $35for the nitrogen. Did I make the right decision?

A. Compressed air, which we have been using to fill tires for years, contains 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen, and a small percentage of other gases. According to Dan Zielinski of the Rubber Manufacturers Association, the advantage of using pure nitrogen to inflate tires is that molecules of nitrogen are larger than compressed air and consequently don’t seep through the tires. Dan goes on to explain that nitrogen on its own won’t give you any better fuel economy than checking your tires monthly.

No magic device found

Q. A couple of months back someone asked you about a particular device to improve fuel economy. Your opinion was that no device that you’ve looked at works. You also asked for reader input. With gas prices going up again, did any of your readers have any success?

A. I received just two e-mails about two different products, both being promoted by employees of those companies. Interestingly I didn’t receive one e-mail from satisfied users of any fuel-savings products. One product that I have seen and use is a monitoring system from a company called Fuel Efficiency Centers ( www.fuelefficiencycenters.com). There is no magic in this product, it just measures your car’s fuel use. The theory is, with a little practice you can improve your car’s mileage by simply driving smarter.

projocars@projo.com