Week 740: Give Us a Hint

This has bugged me since I was a kid: Fred Flintstone's car was a foot-powered vehicle, with a cab resting above two cylindrical rollers. My question is: How did it turn corners? (Brendan Beary, Great Mills)

The image from my backup camera is obscured by something that looks like a paw or small hand. Is this a problem with the camera or a problem with the screen? (Ben Aronin, Washington)

If I've locked my keys in my 2007 Toyota Solara convertible and it's about to rain, is there a manual way to get the top up before it storms? (Miranda Longstreth, Washington)

I took my car into the dealer, and they said I need my exhaust system flushed, brake disks rotated, power steering grommet tightened and headlights re-bored. My question: Should I get the undercoating package, too? (Russ Taylor)

My big brother and his girlfriend like to park down the street and make out. Me and my buddy want to shake them up by whacking the bumper real hard to make the air bags pop out. Will we need, like, a couple of railroad ties, or will a full shopping cart do the trick? (Steve Fahey, Kensington)

My "check engine" light went out while I was driving to work in heavy traffic, after it'd been on for two months. What kind of bulb should I buy to replace the one that went out and how do I put it in? (Jonathan Gettleman, Ashburn)

Please settle this argument: I always save on gas by never letting the tank go less than half-full, while my wife runs it down near the E. This way I can fill it up for only $15, while it costs my wife $30. She says it doesn't matter, 'cause she makes up for it by avoiding jackrabbit starts and stops. Who's right? (Steve Fahey)

What would possess Jay Shuck of Minneapolis to mistake the CLEARLY MARKED engine coolant reservoir in a 2000 Honda Civic for the windshield wiper fluid container? (Jay Shuck's wife, Minneapolis)

Dear Click and Clack: Do you know of any cars where the clutch and accelerator pedals aren't so close together? Sincerely, L. Craig, Boise (Elwood Fitzner, Valley City, N.D.)

Hey, is this the Terry Gross show? (Tom and Ray Magliozzi, Greater Boston)

To Miss Manners & Ask Amy

When breaking up with a girlfriend by text message, is it okay to abbreviate words using "text speak," or would that come across as rude and insensitive? I mean, if you're really in a hurry. (Jon Reiser, Hilton, N.Y.)

My psychotic boyfriend mailed me his severed left ear after a bad argument. We've now broken up. Am I required to return the ear? (Jay Shuck)

Dear Amy: The letter from "Miffed in Topeka" could have been written by me, except I've never been to Kansas, and I'm not a woman, and I don't work in an office, and my son is not on drugs, and my boss isn't hitting on me, my best friend isn't gay, and I don't have a crush on my rabbi (I'm not even Jewish). But your answer really helped me a lot. Thanks! (Chris Rollins)

Next Week: No River, No Woods, or Taking Off on the Holidays