Q. When is the annual big classic car cruise and auto show taking place in downtown Chicago? I missed the one last year and hope the event hasn't been cancelled. --J.F., Barrington

A. The fourth annual Chi-Town Sta-Bil Kruze & Car Show is scheduled for Saturday, May 31. It's Chicago's largest outdoor classic car cruise and exhibition and lets cars of all makes, models and vintage tour around Grant and Millennium Parks between 8-10 a.m., with the auto show for pre-1988 models at the Soldier Field South parking lot from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. A show partner is Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Show promoters say last year's event generated $30,000 in donations. The cruise is free. Car show registration is $20 for participants.

Q. I can't even afford a used Ferrari, at least not yet, but hear I can get a "good taste" of the car at an upcoming Ferrari event. Any information? --S.J., Oak Park

A. The Ferrari Club of America and Continental Auto Sports (a Ferrari-Maserati dealer) will hold its 27th annual Ferrari Art, Literature & Model Expo on Saturday at Continental AutoSports, 420 E. Ogden, Hinsdale (about one block west of the intersection of Ogden and I-294) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will feature Ferrari literature, brochures, yearbooks, photos, press kits, original paintings, posters, die-cast models, sculptures and memorabilia for sale. Admission is free. For more information, contact John Weinberger at Continental Auto Sports (630-655-3535).

Q. A friend says it's better to start a stick shift car with the transmission lever in the neutral gear position, rather than in gear with the clutch depressed. As one who learned to drive in a 1927 Nash and 1929 Dodge, I say it makes no difference. --F.M., Round Lake Beach

A. It makes no difference.

Q. How often should engine fuel injectors be cleaned? My dealer service department presses me to have it perform such cleaning for my 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis, driven 44,000 miles. Other people tell me just to use a fuel injector cleaner, which would cost a fraction of what the service department charges for its cleaning service. The car's maintenance schedule says nothing about fuel-injector cleaning. --W.J., Bloomingdale

A. I assume your Mercury runs OK because you don't mention driveability problems. It's a fairly late-model car that shouldn't need fuel injector cleaning if you use name-brand gasoline, which has fuel injector cleaners. It wouldn't hurt to occasionally use a bottle of fuel injector cleaner if it makes you feel better, although top mechanics tell me that's a waste of money.

Q. Thanks for answering my question in the April 2 AutoTimes about buying a 1977 to 1981 Pontiac Trans Am for about $12,500, but I've given up trying to find a good one after months of looking. I now wonder if I should keep my 1973 Pontiac Grandville convertible, which is nearly in mint condition. Is it worth more than a Trans Am? --V.M., Chicago area

A. The Grandville was a big early 1970s coupe, sedan and convertible. It unfortunately had a big, fuel-thirsty 455-cubic-inch V-8 when the first major fuel-shortage hit. However, early full-size 1970s U.S. convertibles are becoming popular, which is why your car is valued at $9,500-$12,250. But wait! An AutoTimes reader wants to contact you because she says her 65-year-old husband has a 1981 Trans Am in "excellent condition" for sale that "turns heads when we drive it on Sundays." I've forwarded her telephone number. The car seems like it's worth checking out!

Q. I'm thanking about buying a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class model. Is it worth getting it with all-wheel drive instead of the standard rear-wheel drive for better traction on wet roads and in winter? Also, will the 2009 C-Class be much different? --P.D., Chicago area

A. All-wheel drive gives better traction on even dry roads, but adds cost, weight and driveline complexity. And note that rear-drive C-Class models have standard traction control and an anti-skid system, which help out on slippery roads and in winter. The 2008 C-Class got a complete redesign, so it's doubtful if there will be significant changes for 2009.

Q. I'm thinking about making minor restorations to a stock 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS with 50,000 miles on it. Is the car worth spending money on? --C.C., Chicago

A. The rear-drive Monte Carlo SS was the high-performance version of the standard model and thus is more desirable, although "high-performance" in 1984 meant it only had a 180-horsepower V-8. A 1984 SS in above-average shape is valued at $5,400 to $6,440, which are hardly blockbuster prices. However, it had a beefy suspension and rear spoiler and looked good with a smoothly raked new nose because it was the starting point for Chevrolet's latest NASCAR race cars. A total of 24,050 were built, but the most desirable 1980s Monte Carlo SS was the 1986-87 "Aerocoupe" with its compound curve rear window for faster track speeds. Only 6,252 Aerocoupes were built, and they're valued at $10,850-$11,550 if in very good condition. I wouldn't put much money into a 1980s "Monte" unless it's an Aerocoupe.

Q. I own a 2000 Ford Taurus and a 2006 Hyundai Tucson. My mechanic and a tire shop have different ideas about proper tire inflation. Stickers on the cars say 30 psi is the right inflation pressure, but the mechanic and shop set pressures from 35 to 44 psi. Who's correct on this? We're taking a road trip to Texas and a quick answer would be helpful. --K.M., Chicago area

A. Inflating tires a few pounds above manufacturer-recommended pressures is OK, and 35 psi is fine for a long road trip in a car that's heavier than usual because it's probably carrying extra weight from luggage and such. However, 44 psi is way too high and will adversely affect such things as handling and tire wear.

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.