Q: To the best of my knowledge, in Minnesota it is illegal to use non-oxy gasoline in any vehicle except classic/collector vehicles, off-road, farm and small engines. If my info is incorrect, I'd love to know, so I can start using non-oxy in my Grand Cherokee. I have a 1963 Principality of Monaco T-Bird that is run using only non-oxy fuel.

A: According to Minnesota statutes under section 239.791, the gas pumps must have a notice stating that nonoxygenated gas is for use in collector vehicles, off-road vehicles, motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles and small engines only. Your T-Bird passes this test. You don't say what year your Jeep is, so I'm assuming that it doesn't qualify as a collector car (generally defined as 20 years old or older).

A/C stinks

Q: I have a 2016 Ford Explorer that recently started smelling musty when the A/C is first turned on. The service writer at the Ford dealership said there isn't anything that can be done except maybe spray an antibacterial into the ducts. This doesn't sound right. It seems to me that the evaporator pans should have drains that maybe are clogged and can be cleaned. What is your thought?

A: If the evaporator drain is clogged, the evaporator will ice up, which will block airflow. As the car sits overnight, the dark, warm moist environment is like a petri dish for microorganisms. The simplest solution is to turn off the A/C and put the fan on high for the last five minutes of driving to dry out the HVAC plenum.

Rely on technology

Q: Is it better to let the car's automation handle certain tasks or do it myself? For instance, when I set the following distance on my cruise control (I always use the biggest following distance available), should I allow the vehicle to do the braking and the acceleration or do it myself? When traveling freeway speeds, I never use the autobraking. I apply the brakes way sooner.

A: Little by little, cars' computers are replacing humans, and usually for the best. Computers never get distracted. Their reaction time is better than ours. They also control fuel use better. I consider myself an excellent driver, but my cruise control consistently beats me in the MPG competition.

New tires, new guides

Q: You said to always go with the tire pressures stated on the vehicle sticker, regardless of what is stated on the sidewall. What about antique cars? I have a 1961 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 that my father bought new. The manual says 22 psi, but that was for the old bias ply tires. It has Coker Classic radials now, and I drive the car at 32-34 psi. Max inflation is 40 or 44 psi.

A: Changing the type of tire is going to make the sticker recommendation a moot point. Inflating your radials as you do probably is fine, but I suggest contacting Coker for a professional opinion.

Bob Weber is a writer, mechanic and ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician. His writing has appeared in automotive trade publications, Consumer Guide and Consumers Digest. Send automotive questions along with name and town to motormouth.tribune@gmail.com.