Q. Is it true that "you are what you drive?" -- E.N., Chicago

A. Not necessarily. You might drive a ragged 1983 Dodge Omni because you can't afford anything else. But then, you might like your wheels. A new tongue-in-cheek book titled You Are What You Drive: What Your Car Says About You (www.motorbooks.com) looks at drivers of various older cars. For instance, author Jay Lamm writes of a 1999 Toyota Camry owner: "Loves boxed wine, buys tortoise-shell CVS sunglasses and in high school was voted the most likely to organize a 25-year reunion to which nobody really feels like coming." Even the owner of a 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle is kidded, with Lamm writing: "Distinguishing Characteristics: Hippie beads; hand-painted cell phone; blank stare." Own a 1980 Ferrari 308GTS? Then your preferred clothing is "Hawaiian shirts, khaki shorts, Tigers ball cap [and] flip-flops."

Q. I can't figure out how many of the gadgets work on new cars. For example, how do rain-sensing windshield wipers work? --F.S., Chicago

A. Rain-sensing wipers generally use infrared sensors to monitor a section of the windshield for moisture or dirt -- and then activate the wipers to respond, according to a threshold a driver sets.

Q. My 1990 Subaru has gone 70,000 miles. I changed its engine oil every three months when I drove 4,000 miles annually. Now I change oil only once a year because I just drive 700 miles annually. That OK? --W.M. Bolingbrook

A. I suspect you do lots of stop-and-go driving at that low mileage -- or let the car sit for long periods. In either case, change the oil every six months.

Q. I gave up trying to work my BMW's "iDrive" system, which I must use with its console control rotary knob and dashboard screen for anything except simple audio and climate adjustments. Everything else involves using iDrive with its distracting menus, submenus and settings. That's dangerous when the car is moving, so what's the point of it? --E.H., Highland Park

A. BMW says iDrive eliminates a confusing array of dashboard controls, such as buttons and switches. But I agree that iDrive is maddening. Alas, Mercedes-Benz and Audi have similar systems.

Q. Why buy winter-season tires when my car has all-season tires? --J.L., Oak Park

A. Winter tires stay flexible in cold weather, unlike all-season tires, which can turn hard as a brick, reducing traction and control. Winter season tire tread flexibility improves traction for better control. Handling is improved during emergency maneuvers, while braking distance is shorter and safer. Beyond that, winter season tire tread patterns increase cold weather traction, control and overall road safety.

Q. What happened to the old-style auto chrome-plated bumpers?--B.A., Chicago

A. They're heavy and thus would eat into fuel economy. Mostly, though, they'd look awkward with modern auto styling.

Q. What would happen if General Motors trimmed the number of its auto divisions? --E.G., Villa Park

A. Some GM critics feel it would do fine with Chevrolet as its base entry division and Cadillac as its top-line division, with nothing in between. They note that Toyota does well with its top-line Lexus division, that Nissan has its luxury Infiniti division and Honda has its upper-crust Acura division. But it would cost troubled GM a lot to eliminate a car division, if only considering the cost of terminating dealers. (Eliminating GM's Oldsmobile division cost a bundle.) Also, dropping established nameplates such as Pontiac and Buick would hurt volume. However, GM might be able to sell Saab without much of a cost -- most Americans don't even know Saab is a GM car division. And GM has been looking for a buyer for Hummer.

Q. Why do people wax a car but then neglect to prepare its interior before sloppy winter months. After all, they "live" in the interior. --C.W., Western Springs

A. People aren't inclined to keep a car's interior clean during zero-degree weather, so now is the time to install protective floor mats and clean with interior car care products, which provide, for instance, a protective barrier against stains.

Q. What's the value of the rare DeLorean sports car? I saw one last summer on a Wisconsin road and it looked pretty sleek! --E.H., Hinsdale

A. The 1981-83 DeLorean DMC-12 isn't all that rare. A total of 8,583 were built in Ireland, including three gold-plated cars. DeLorean prices long didn't budge from the low teens, but the Cars of Particular Interest guide says a DeLorean now is valued at $9,800 in fair condition and from $17,500 to $30,100 in good to excellent shape. The Sports Car Market Guide puts the low-high figures at $20,000 to $32,000, but gives the car only a "C" investment grade. The DeLorean looks good and has a no-rust stainless steel body. It is fairly decent, with styling from a top Italian outfit and much engineering by England's famous Lotus sports/Grand Prix car outfit. But it lacked development, and thus was underpowered, had troublesome electronics and subpar air conditioning. Early quality was so poor a U.S. facility was established to make it acceptable for sale. Investors of ex-GM executive John DeLorean's company included entertainer Johnny Carson. They lost a bundle when the company failed.

Car question? Send it to Dan Jedlicka, Chicago Sun-Times, 350 N. Orleans, Chicago 60654, or e-mail dan@danjedlicka.com. Include name and hometown.