Car shouldn't idle for more than 30 seconds

Q Should I shut off the motor when I'm idling my car, or does it just take more gas to get it started again?

A Idling gets 0 miles per gallon. If you are going to be parked for more than 30 seconds, turn off the engine. Ten seconds of idling can use more fuel than turning off the engine and restarting it. And when you start your engine, don't step down on the accelerator; simply turn the key to start.

If you're at a drive-in restaurant, for example, an alternative to idling is to park your car, walk inside, do your business and then go back to your car.

California Energy Commission

Low-VOC caulk Q We recently had an energy audit of our house, which was built in 1997 and is in great shape. The auditor suggested that we caulk around our windows. We've been trying to find a good caulk that's "low-VOC" (volatile organic compound), but with no luck. Any suggestions?

A For low-VOC caulks and sealants, look for:

• OSI Green Series brand of sealants and adhesives. (Go to Greenseries.com, scroll to bottom and click "products" tab.)

• GeoGreen products by Geocel Corp., such as All-in-One Adhesive/Sealant, Drywall/Panel/Sub-Floor Adhesive and Siding/Window/Door Sealant.

• Liquid Nails Brand of adhesives have earned GreenGuard certification.

• Many Pecora Sealants are low-VOC.

• Phenoseal Does It Clear, Acrylic Latex Adhesive Caulk.

• Tremflex 834 interior and exterior latex caulking and Tremco Spectrem 1 joint sealant, by Tremco.