Answer: I am waiting for the new Flex to arrive. There is one here in our Boston press fleet. The Flex is modeled on the design of the Taurus X, which I did spend a week in. The Taurus X was a great car to drive. My wife and I both enjoyed the Taurus X.

The Flex reminds me of an old car made to look classic. The low step in height and bodylines got my attention. The V/6 makes 262 horsepower, and the all-wheel drive option will be a big hit in the Snow Belt. I like the idea of the fold down seats, including the third row, and oversized sunroof panel design.

Ask the dealer to take one out for an extended test drive, or even overnight. I sent a friend up to Rodman Ford in Foxboro to test drive a new Mustang. The owner let her take the car home overnight. The next day she and her daughter went back to buy the car and they also bought a new all-wheel drive Escape. Some dealers know how to treat customers. I hope yours will do the same for you.

Question: I own a 2008 Mazda CX7 with 6,300 miles. A local transmission company here in Arizona is offering one charge for a yearly transmission fluid flush for the life of the vehicle. Would you recommend this service?

Answer: The service interval on your transmission is outlined in the owner’s manual. An annual transmission fluid flush is not necessary on this vehicle. The average transmission fluid flush is every two years. Some new vehicles have a drain plug on the transmission pan similar to an oil drain plug. The technician can simply drain the transmission fluid out of the transmission pan and refill it. The amount of fluid will vary from three to seven quarts, depending on the vehicle.

Question: Do you think that a steam-powered vehicle could ever be produced as an alternative energy type vehicle? The steam could be produced by gasoline or coal. A friend told me that most of the energy in the internal combustion gasoline engine is wasted. 

Answer: Today’s internal combustion gasoline engines are very efficient, unlike engines with carburetors and old style ignition systems. Over the next few years, gas mileage and emissions will improve even more. Hybrid power will also be more the norm than today. The old steam engines and vehicles could never meet today’s standards.

Question: I own a 2002 Ford Explorer with 124,000 miles. Every so often the check gauge light illuminates on the dash, and the oil pressure is all the way down. This happens while I am stopped and in drive. If I put the transmission in neutral, the gauge goes back up and the light goes out. The dealer said it might be a bad gauge. Should I go through the expense of replacing the gauge?

Answer: When the engine is warm and in gear, the engine RPM (engine speed) is low. Combine that with high miles and oil that is thin when warm, and you get low oil pressure at a hot idle. This is the most common cause for your problem.

As for a defective gauge, I do not think so. First, have the oil pressure checked with a mechanical gauge at the shop when it’s both cold and hot. Second, I would suggest changing the oil to a 15W40 high mileage oil and see if the gauge drops at a hot idle in gear. I use this practice a lot at my shop for high mileage vehicles with this problem. It’s a lot cheaper than an engine overhaul. Just last week I used this oil on a 1999 Camry with the same problem.

Question: I own a 1964 Ford 352 V/8. I have been adding eight ounces of Max Lead to my gasoline every 20 gallons. It claims to raise the octane and treat the valves on this old engine. What do you think?

Answer: The old engines needed top end lubrication and got it from lead additives in the gasoline. Some owners, even today, add Mystery oil to both the gasoline and engine oil. There are many additives on the market for added engine protection and power. Some additives, such as this one, could do harm to a late model vehicle designed to run on unleaded fuel only. There are also octane booster products that do work in non-pollution vehicles.

Question: I own a 2008 Ford F250 diesel and am interested in buying a programmer for more power and fuel economy. Which one is the best, and do they actually produce as much power as they claim?

Answer: Power programmers will get you power out of your diesel. You can reprogram the computer for a few different horsepower gains. The down side is the extra load you put on the engine from the added turbo charger boost. If you do decide to upgrade your truck or any diesel-powered vehicle, check out a complete kit including a larger intercooler, air intake system exhaust and any type of water injection. All this combined should give you all you want and more. Check out the Gail Banks full system.

Question: With the high price of gasoline today I would like to buy my gas from a no name gas station. My coworker says that’s a bad thing to do because you never know what is in the gasoline. What are your thoughts on less expensive, off brand gasoline?

Answer: Here in southern New England there are many independent gas retailers along with the name brands. I will use whichever has the least expensive gas price, as long as it’s from a clean looking gas station with digital gas pump dispensers that accept credit cards.

Junior Damato writes weekly about cars. You can send questions to him care of the Old Colony Memorial, 182 Standish Ave., Plymouth, MA 02360.