Q. I'm a movie buff and a car lover. I think the best auto chase scene in a movie was the one in "The Blues Brothers." Did anyone do a study about the greatest auto chase scenes? -- E.S., Chicago

A. A recent online survey about the most exciting Hollywood car chases taken by Haggerty Insurance, a national collectible auto insurer, found most respondents think Steve McQueen's car chase scene in "Bullitt" is the most memorable in movie history.

The scene, with McQueen driving a Ford Mustang, outpolled its nearest rival, the 2000 version of "Gone in 60 Seconds," by nearly a 5-to-1 margin, Haggerty said.

Following that movie, the other top 10 vote getters were, respectively, "Smokey and the Bandit," "The Blues Brothers," "Gone in 60 Seconds" (1974 version), "The French Connection," "Ronin," "Vanishing Point," "The Italian Job" (2003 version) and "The Fast and the Furious."

Q. I'd like to buy a collectible car at an auction because such autos keep rising in value and I'd have fun driving it before I sold it. Any specific things I should know? -- E.H., Evanston

A. A classic car auction is different than a regular auction. The basic principle for selling to the highest bidder is the same, but Premier Financial Services says follow these steps to bid properly:

* Browse the auction catalog to find more details about the car you want.

*Know the auto's value.

*Sign up for a service that can find and list a car's history.

*Get help from a knowledgeable appraiser and a mechanic to judge an auto's value and quality.

*Check paperwork and make sure the car's title of ownership is on site.

*Remember that paying a buyer's premium or applicable taxes on the car can bring your cost over the vehicle's market value.

*Shipping arrangements must be made, so research transport companies and their costs.

Q. The guys at the oil quick change shop are tying to sell me "fuel injector service" for $80. Is that service worth it or will a couple of bottles of injector cleaner do the job? -- S.F., Oak Park

A. Don't have anything done if your vehicle is running OK and its "check engine" light isn't on -- usually indicating an emissions control system problem. If not, ask them what they will do during the "service." Such shops don't make much changing oil, so they offer additional, more profitable services.

Fuel injector cleaners often contain alcohol. But so does gasoline, which also has additives to keep injectors operating efficiently. However, Elmwood Park's Caira Automotive says injectors occasionally "stick," especially on certain General Motors cars, and says it uses a cleaner "that is more a lubricant than a cleaner" to fix the problem.

Q. My car has developed a rattle in the driver's door, but I only hear it when going over bumps. Is this a do-it-yourself project, or should I go to a dealer or body shop? -- S.S., Schaumburg

A. Assuming it isn't being caused by something like a misaligned door, a loose object behind a door panel probably is causing the rattle. Have a dealer or body shop remove the panel and fix the problem unless you're especially handy and have the proper tools and shop manual for the car.

Q. The indicator light in my 1999 Oldsmobile Bravada with only 20,000 miles says "check all-wheel drive" and stays on all the time. -- R.C., Chicago

A. Take the Bravada to a shop with the proper equipment. The vehicle has stored a trouble code that will let such a shop pinpoint the problem.

Q. I'm storing my 2005 four-cylinder Chevrolet for five months this winter in an unheated garage. How should I prepare it, and will the storage harm the engine or other components? -- M.O., Posen

A. That's not a terribly long storage time, but still won't be good for the car. The best thing is to have someone drive the Chevy until it reaches normal engine temperature at least once a month to charge the battery and get the car's lubricants and fuel and braking systems working. If that's not possible, get a trickle charger to prevent the battery from becoming dead. Inflate tires 10 psi over recommended pressures and fill the gasoline tank. Adding a fuel stabilizer to the gas also is a good idea.

Got a car question? Send it to Dan Jedlicka, Chicago Sun-Times, 350 N. Orleans, Chicago, 60654, or e-mail him at djedlicka@suntimes.com. All letters and e-mails should include your name and hometown.

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