Boy oh boy do we see a lot of miracle fixes on parts store shelves. There's a never-ending stream of products making empty promises. Some have been around for decades, others come and go like moon phases. Most products that have lots of big writing and fanfare on the package are just that - fanfare. Usually they aren't more than an old product relabeled or a new product that was pumped out of China for the week. We like to grab a few of these every time we're at the parts store just to see what they're all about. This one actually came from Wal-Mart, a haven for useless auto gadgets. It came in a silver foil pack sort of like a Pop Tart, and it claimed to be able to repair scratched plastic headlight lenses (and similar plastics). It was pretty funny to see how it turned out.

It's not every day that a repair shop goes the extra mile to spread some holiday cheer. Thanksgiving is a time for (obviously) giving thanks, but part of truly giving thanks is passing some of what you're thankful for to others who may need it. Ray Sands Glass in Rochester, New York gives back regularly. Starting in 2007, Ray and co-owner Dave Burns have offered free glass repair to anyone who donates food or warm clothing to the Open Door Mission in Rochester. How great is that? If more of us would give up just a little of our time and resources imagine how much more good will could be spread around for the holidays?

_{Learn more about the program from Rochester's Homepage.}

Gas mileage is at the top of the concerns list these days. Here's a recent letter that asked a question I've hear a lot.

Hi there, I need to know how I can improve fuel economy on a 1997 Chevrolet Astro van AWD. I already have an K&N filter, but it doesn't help much. Is there any chip that can do magic? What could I do?
Thank you, Sabin Mihu

Sabin, there are scores of gadgets out there that claim to improve your gas mileage, some of them by huge amounts. For the most part they're all junk and a waste of money. There are some things that help in small ways. I like the K&N filter system, it flows very freely and since it's reusable allows you to keep a super clean filter for less cash. It's not going to give you any significant gains in mileage over any other clean filter. Computer chips are another biggie. Since most people see their car's computers as somewhere between voodoo and sanskrit in terms of their understanding it's easy to imagine that reprogramming the computer can get you more miles on a tank of gas. They almost never work. You car was programmed to operate efficiently from the factory. Install the chip wrong and you might fry your computer -- expensive. To get the best mileage, keep up with your maintenance, be sure your tires are properly inflated and slow down!

With money getting tighter and tighter, many of us are skipping the new car lot and looking into buying a previously owned, previously depreciated, car or truck. This is a great idea in a questionable economy. You may not get the satisfaction of breathing in that new car smell for the next couple of months, but you'll save money (and probably some brain cells) if you make a wise decision on a used car. Since it's not new, there are some things to keep an eye out for when you go used. Our used car guru Keith Griffin has put together one of the best Top 10 Questions To Ask a Used Car Dealer I've seen. It's more than a good idea to check it out before you buy your next used car or truck, it's essential. A wise used car decision will mean fewer expensive car repairs down the road. That's worth 5 minutes of your time.