Q. How can I tell if an auto service facility will provide good service? --J.F., Barrington

A. First, ask friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members for references. Things such as labor rates, warranties and payment policies should be provided up front in writing by a shop, which indicates it knows it's accountable for work. Also, find the cost involved to inspect your vehicle because not all auto service shops provide free estimates and you don't want to be stuck paying a costly inspection fee you didn't approve beforehand. Get a detailed breakdown of what vehicle repairs were done to let you maintain service records and keep the shop accountable for work it did. These records are important when warranties are involved and help you sell the vehicle when the time comes to get a new one. A common indication of quality service is a certificate of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). This certificate confirms that the quality of work you can expect from the facility should be high.

Q. Last night, my wife was looking over her high school pictures and came across one of her and classmates in a friend's convertible. She asked me if I could identify the car, but I couldn't. Nor could my car buff friends. It's a 1959 or earlier car and looks like it might be from General Motors or Chrysler. Can you get me off the hook and tell me what it is and a little about it? -- D.L., Chicago area

A. I can't say much about the knowledge of your car buff friends because the auto is a 1959 Pontiac Bonneville convertible, one of the best-known General Motors cars ever made because it was the first of Pontiac's "Wide Track" models, which gave Pontiacs a sexier broad-shouldered look. The move was ordered by Semon "Bunkie" Knudsen, Pontiac's aggressive new boss, who looked at the narrower track for the proposed 1959 Pontiac and said it made the car look like "a football player wearing ballet slippers." Pontiac engineers thus hastily widened the car's track (or distance between wheels on the same axle) and the new look greatly increased Pontiac sales and helped it shed its "old man's" image. That Bonneville had a big 389-cubic-inch V-8 that produced from 215 to 345 horsepower. The 1959 Bonneville also got a new body that helped make it look sensational. (Ironically, Semon Knudsen's father, "Big Bill" Knudsen, once headed Pontiac and put chrome strips on Pontiac hoods, which his son promptly ripped off 20 years later.

Q. I'm considering the purchase of a Chevrolet Equinox. Your opinion? --F.M, Darien

A. We said in the Dec. 17 AutoTimes that the Equinox "provides a good combination of performance, utility, safety and affordability." "Dislikes" included oddly positioned power window controls, flimsy rear cupholders and a rather trucklike ride for a powerful new Sport model that has a sport suspension and wider tires. (Note that past AutoTimes road tests can be found at this Sun-Times auto site: searchchicago.com/autos).

Q. I'm happy with my 1998 Ford Explorer but really liked the Ford Explorer America concept SUV at the Chicago Auto Show and wonder if and when Ford might produce that vehicle. --T.P., Chicago

A. Ford says it has no plans to make that vehicle, which is a crossover and likely successor to the Explorer SUV. The unibody Explorer America is a design study for the next-generation Explorer, which might switch to a front-wheel-drive car platform in several years. However, features of this concept vehicle may show up on production vehicles.

Q. My wife contacted you in 1993 concerning the purchase of a car. You recommended a Geo Prizm, which has been driven 70,000 miles without a maintenance problem. We're in the process of buying a new car and looking at small and medium-size SUVs. There are lots of makes and models on the market and we wonder if you could list three models in each class. Our price range is $20,000 for a small SUV and $25,000 for a medium-size one. We just want reliable transportation, as has been given by the Prizm. --A.B, Chicago area

A. Space and time considerations prohibit mentioning all the vehicles you're considering, but you might look at the Hyundai Santa Fe, Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Equinox, Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4.

Q. I was wondering why the Toyota Camry XLE doesn't have a fold-down rear seat for more cargo capacity, as does the LE model. I enjoy the ability to do this with my 2004 Camry LE. A Toyota salesman said the automaker wanted to promote the XLE as an "intro luxury model." I thought the Toyota Avalon was that type of model. --J.K, Chicago area

A. All versions of the mid-size Camry have folding rear seatbacks except the XLE and SE, which have a rear seat with a center pass-through area to the trunk. The Avalon is a nice full-size Toyota, but it is no luxury model.

Q. What do you think of the 2008 Pontiac Vibe? --J.K., Carol Stream

A. It's OK, but is largely gone -- replaced by the 2009 Vibe, which began arriving in showrooms last month, says GM spokeswoman Kristin Rogers. The new Vibe has freshened styling, more power and new features. It also is offered again with all-wheel drive, and there are sport-themed models. It shares its basic design with the 2009 Toyota Matrix, which also has been redesigned.

Q. Will giving my fuel-thirsty 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 with a 360-cubic-inch V-8 a numerically higher axle ratio increase its fuel economy? This truck will mainly be used on highways. --D.L, Beach Park

A. Such an axle ratio is one of the best ways to increase fuel economy.

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