Q: Question for the ages: Why do they call it a glove compartment? Any historical reason?

C.C., Norfolk, Virginia

A: Yup. Historical. Early automobiles were not enclosed. Motorists were at the whims of the weather. Coats and hats were common and so were gloves. They not only kept fingers warm, they served as work gloves. Engines were crank-started and there was no power steering. Packard is credited with installing a box that held lots of stuff, including rainwear and gloves. Today, those compartments store stuff like registration and insurance cards — and occasionally gloves. The term endures, kinda like calling the fridge an icebox.

Q: Why do cars have an indicator light when you are losing traction? I can feel the loss of control when that is happening, and I find it very distracting that a light starts blinking, which pulls my focus away from the road at a time when I should paying very close attention to the road because I am losing traction. Seriously, what is the point of that idiot light? Leave me alone so I can drive!

J.J., Taylors Falls, Minnesota

A: Warning lights are there to alert the driver -- sometimes to report proper operation such as to let you know the traction control is operating, sometimes to report a problem. I am glad you are not an idiot, and I feel your angst. But there are still idiots out there, often driving. I’ve seen them.

Q: I have a 2011 Mercedes GLK350 with 121,000 miles. In a recent inspection and oil change at a car shop, I was told that both front stabilizer links are worn or broken and need to be replaced at a price of $400. I called another local car shop who told me that these were not necessary, and I did not need to have them replaced. I am unsure what to do.

M.F., Surprise, Arizona

A: Many of us call them sway bar links. The job of the sway bar (stabilizer bar) is to help keep the outside wheel on the ground when cornering. I suggest replacing the links.

Q: Recently, the auxiliary button on my 2009 Honda Accord stopped working. This feature had allowed me to play my Spotify music through my car radio hooked up with my cell phone. I know nothing about cars, but I can't believe that fixing that would be less than the $29 I paid for a mini Bluetooth speaker, which works just fine for my Spotify music.

J.B., Park Ridge, Illinois

A: The accessory function is part of the entire ignition switch. Be glad the start and run functions still work. If you need to replace the switch, it will probably cost a couple hundred dollars plus labor. By the way, I love my tiny Bluetooth speaker that also has a white noise function that I occasionally use to fall asleep, but not at the wheel.

K.R., Newport News, Virginia

Q My 2013 Subaru Forester has given me very few problems over its 120,000-mile run. Last month the check engine light came on, so I made a rare visit to the dealer. The tech said the catalytic converter needed replacement (and it would cost more than the value of the car). I went looking for an alternative. Ten days later the check engine light spontaneously turned off.

B.E., Chicago

A: I can only guess what happened. A problem is likely with one of the oxygen sensors. The car didn’t fix itself, but the temporary trouble went away.

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