Q: If I park my car (a Genesis) at the airport and return in a week, might my battery be dead?

M.R., Park Ridge, Illinois

A: It is very unlikely unless your battery is on its last legs. But fear not. O’Hare Airport parking offers free jump-starts 24/7.

Q: In shopping for a newer vehicle, I’ve discovered all the vehicles I’m interested in have CVTs instead of traditional geared transmissions (Subaru Outback, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Acura ADX). I would like your take on CVTs. Are they as reliable and long lasting as traditional transmissions?

J. G., Hartford, Connecticut

A: I am not yet sold on the reliability of continuously variable transmissions. They are getting better, and many carmakers claim that their cars will easily go over 100,000 miles with proper care. Conventional automatic transmissions have a proven track record with many going over 200,000 miles. By the way, CVT repairs can be expensive.

Q: I have a 2011 Toyota Camry. The mileage is now over 200,000. Over the last couple of years it has developed an intermittent clacking sound emitted from below the car. I’ve had the front end inspected, the splash shield checked and invested in new struts. The clacking still persists. Any ideas?

B.R., Wadsworth, Illinois

A: I would check for one of those clicker toys. (Sorry. I couldn’t resist since I have no real answer.)

Q: I recently heard it is best to wrap key fobs in aluminum foil to prevent theft. What is your opinion on this?

S.L., Whitinsville, Massachusetts

A: Yeah, it may prevent signals from being captured. But it would take some hefty foil, not even heavy duty foil, and perhaps many layers. However, it’s probably more effective than wearing a tin foil hat to prevent mind control by the government.

Q: I appreciate your column as it helps me understand some of the complexities of my car, and I'm just plain curious about others' troubles, too. Recently, you discussed a catalytic converter. I have a 2005 Toyota xB with 220,000 miles on it, and I'd never given the converter a thought until today. A bunch of years ago, my dashboard light notified me of a problem, which resulted in the replacement of a small cube, which I think was part of the exhaust system. I'm not sure of its function, but neither of the two mechanics who have worked on the car's maintenance over the years have ever specifically mentioned the converter. Am I missing something?

P.C., Chicago

A: Cats are very dependable and deserve about as much attention as a muffler. They generally last the life of the car. What you may have had an issue with was an oxygen sensor. There is one before and another behind the converter as part of the engine control system.

Q: You mentioned in your column that a car was named Impact by GM, which you thought was a bad name for a car. GM had a previous bad named car, the Chevy Nova. Nova is a star in astronomy, but in Spanish it translates into "doesn't go." Needless to say, the sales in Latin America were pretty low. GM changed the name for export cars.

B.H., East Hampton, Connecticut

A: That legend has been around forever, but no va (two words) means no go. My mother owned a Nova and the Spanish translation described her vehicle rather well.

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