Dear Tom and Ray:

We live in Florida, about 5 miles from our grocery store. When we buy cold cuts or frozen foods, we go directly home because of the 90-degree heat. My wife seems to think that putting all of this stuff in the front seat directly in front of the air-conditioner vent will keep it cold. I think the car's air will warm up these items, because the air coming out of the vents is not as cold as the refrigerated and frozen foods. I think the trunk is a better place for these items. What do you think? -- Richard

Tom: Oh, yeah, Richard! The trunk -- a closed, uninsulated metal box where it's 175 degrees -- is a great place for your frozen foods!

Ray: We have to side with your wife, here, Richard. An air conditioner, in good working order, should put out air at a temperature of about 40-45 degrees. And while it's true that 40-degree air won't keep frozen food frozen, it will slow down the thawing process. And that's what you want.

Tom: Of course, if it's really just a 5-mile drive home, it hardly matters. I suspect you're really upset, Richard, because she's making you ride in the back while the frozen TV dinners get to sit up front.

Ray: If this is really a big concern for you guys, you can always buy a camping- style cooler. When you do your shopping, spend an extra buck and buy a bag of ice, dump the food in the cooler and pour the ice over the top of it. Then you can take the scenic route home with you riding up front, Richard, and the frozen Sezhuan prune appetizers in the back where they belong.

What is the most cost-effective way to buy a car? Tom and Ray hash it all out in their pamphlet "Should I Buy, Lease, or Steal My Next Car?" To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1999 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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