Q. My hobby/retirement car is a near mint-condition 2004 Pontiac GTO with very low miles. However, I've seen any number of alloy wheels that have been cosmetically damaged during tire replacement or servicing. I'm dreading the day when my GTO will need that kind of work. Any tips for finding a tire dealer that will do the job right? --J.P., South Holland

A. Take the car to a specialized facility such as an auto restoration shop unless you've heard of a tire dealer where no damage has been done. Even then, you best never leave the car out of your sight because a careless or rushed employee can accidentally cause damage that could be prevented if he knows he's being watched. Example: A friend left a classic car with costly rare wheels in perfect shape to be waxed last fall at a veteran auto restoration facility. He then drove it directly home the next day and garaged it for the winter. Alas, he recently noticed one of the wheels (facing a garage wall that made it impossible to reach it) is slightly dented, as if by a heavy, dropped shop tool. It would have been easy to overlook the damaged wheel after the wax job.

Q. I bought a new turbocharged Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and the dealer said I must warm up the car before I drive it -- and then keep it idling for a while after driving it before I turn the engine off to prevent damage to the turbocharger. Seems to me this is just wasting gasoline. --R.C., Morton Grove

A. No such procedures are necessary, says Mitsubishi national spokesperson Janis Little. However, drive moderately at first because it doesn't hurt to make sure the turbocharger is properly warmed up. For more specific information, call Mitsubishi's technical folks at 888-648-7820. Generally, your dealer is more than a decade out of date with his advice. Years ago, it was recommended that you let a turbocharged engine idle a bit after driving it to prevent turbo problems.

Q. I've bought a new Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS all-wheel-drive SUV, and its owner's manual and fuel filler door say premium gasoline is recommended. With higher fuel prices, though, I wonder if I also can use regular-grade fuel. The difference between premium and regular fuel is only $5 per tank, but that comes out to $260 a year. Incidentally, the TrailBlazer isn't driven much because my other car is a 1968 Buick Skylark with a 350-cubic-inch V-8 and four-barrel carburetor. I also use premium gasoline for it, but is that a waste of money? --M.L., Alsip

A. The SS is a high-performance SUV, and Chevy thus recommends premium fuel for its 6-liter, 390-horsepower V-8. Other TrailBlazers only require regular-grade gasoline. The all-wheel-drive SS lists at $33,950, so I wouldn't think you'd be too concerned about the extra $260 a year. Your Skylark probably needs premium fuel because it's a pre-emissions-control era car with a fairly high compression ratio.

Q. Gasoline prices continue to rise, but I can't afford a hybrid vehicle. I know there are numerous fuel-saving tips, but do you have a few? --W.L., Chicago

A. Focusing just on driving style and aerodynamics, aggressive driving, such as intense acceleration, high speeds and even frequent lane changes, can decrease fuel economy by an estimated 35 percent -- and adding luggage to a roof rack can cause an estimated 21 percent loss in fuel economy.

Q. I'm more of a movie buff than a car fan, but autos often seem to be prominently featured in movies. What are the top movie cars? I ask because I think I've seen all of them. --J.F., Barrington

A. If you're a movie buff, you probably have seen all those cars. The Cars.com auto Web site has come up with the Top Ten most popular movie cars and the films in which they appeared. Leading the pack is the 1981 DeLorean DMC 12 in "Back to the Future." It's followed, in order, by the 1977 Pontiac Trans Am ("Smokey and the Bandit"), 1961 Ferrari 250 GT ("Ferris Bueller's Day Off"), 1964 Aston Martin DB5 ("Goldfinger"), 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 ("Bullitt"), 1976 AMC Pacer ("Wayne's World), 1932 Ford hot rod coupe ("American Graffiti), 1974 Dodge Monaco ("The Blues Brothers"), 1959 Cadillac ambulance ("Ghostbusters) and 2003 Mini Cooper S ("The Italian Job"). "Honorable mentions" went to the 1958 Plymouth Fury in "Christine" and the 1975 Lotus Esprit in "The Spy Who Loved Me." Actually, the only cars desired by serious collectors are that Ferrari (the one in the film was just a replica), Aston Martin and Lotus, with the DeLorean slowly becoming more of a collectible.

Q. With spring here, will a good wax job for my car last a year? Also, does paste wax offer the same protection as liquid wax? --J.A., Oak Park

A. Wax manufacturers can make 1-year-protection claims, but I wouldn't take them too seriously because every car and every car owner is different, as is the environment in which the car is in. Modern liquid and paste waxes offer equal performance, although some vehicle owners don't feel as if they've done a "good job" unless they use a paste wax.

Car question? Send it to Dan Jedlicka, Chicago Sun-Times, 350 N. Orleans, Chicago, IL 60654, or e-mail djedlicka@suntimes.com. Include name and hometown, and be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope to ensure a personal reply.