Q: Years ago, a neighbor who was also a mechanic told us to put a rug on our concrete garage floor, underneath the motor, to prevent moisture from prematurely aging the engine. Is there any evidence that this does in fact have a positive effect on a car’s engine? We have been recycling old rugs from the house and putting them beneath the motor for years. Does this do anything except liven up the interior design of our garage floor?
D.H., Chicago
A: Huh? I have a hunch your old mechanic was trying to pull the wool, er, carpet over your eyes. If moisture prematurely damaged engines, highways would be paved with curb-to-curb Karastan or at least Olefin Berber for longer wear. Of course, this may impede snow removal in the winter.
