Start your engines, car know-it-alls, and try this one

Today’s question: I drive a 2016 car that tells me after each fill up how many miles I can travel until the next fill-up. In the winter, the distance is about 410 miles. Now it’s around 360. What’s going on? Beats me. In fact, the opposite should be true. You should be getting better mileage in the summer than in the winter.

That’s because the blends of gasolines used in the summer are more efficient than the winter blends. Why this is so is a long story that made my brain hurt so we won’t be going into it just now.

I suggest you talk to your mechanic about this or keep reading this column because as soon as this comes out a whole bunch of automotive know-it-alls are going to be giving their opinions, which are almost sure to include the idea that I am an idiot.

During the recent 4th of July holiday the Diamondbacks and other teams wore an arm patch of the American flag. I noticed that the flags had the “field of blue” in the upper right hand corner of the flag. I have always understood that the ‘field of blue” should always be in the upper left hand corner when displayed. I’d appreciate your explanation of this situation.

People, people, people. Why did this question arrive in one form or another three times lately? I am almost positive we have discussed this a couple times before.

When worn as an arm patch the flag is shown with the field of blue to the right as if the flag were being carried forward on a standard, perhaps into battle.