Q: When I go duck hunting, I drive back roads and my windshield becomes pitted by flying gravel. Is there a temporary protective product available?

—John Bjorgen, Golden Valley, Minn.

A: Auto-supply stores carry clear plastic sheeting that sticks to the windshield for protection from stones and other debris. ClearPlex is one brand that comes to mind, but there are others. You can replace the sheets as they become damaged, and the process should be less expensive—and less of a hassle—than replacing a damaged windshield.

Q: I own a 2006 Mercedes C280 with only 44,000 miles. Service is due and the mechanic recommends replacing the spark plugs and wiring at a cost of nearly $500. What do you suggest?

—Ed Blair, Hoover, Ala.

A: It seems too early for a modern car to need new spark plugs and wires. The mechanic might be able to explain why your car is a special case, but I suspect the recommendation is more about profit than your car's well-being.

Q: I have a 2004 Volvo S60R that I have really enjoyed. The "R" gets 300 horsepower and with a six-speed manual transmission, performs above its class. But at 160,000 miles, it now consumes a quart of oil every 500 miles. Is it worth it to have the engine rebuilt?

—R.P. Giles, White Plains, N.Y.

A: An engine rebuild will be expensive, and the mechanic could find unhappy surprises once it's disassembled. Still, the job will be cheap compared with buying a new vehicle. Also, the old S60R was a gem of a driver's car with a combination of high horsepower, all-wheel drive and manual transmission no longer available from Volvo. If you really love the car, it is worth fixing.

Q: I have a 2002 Jeep Liberty that was rear-ended in 2011, resulting in a broken gas tank. I recently heard there is a recall for this problem, but my dealer didn't know anything about it. Now I am afraid to drive the car. Can anything be done to speed up the recall process?

—Art Ribak, Greenwich Conn.

A: The Jeep fuel-tank recall has been publicized recently, but your dealer may not have received notification from Chrysler yet. Try calling Chrysler's customer-service department, which deals with recalls, at 800-247-9753. They can tell you whether the recall has actually begun and let you know how to approach the issue with dealers.

—email mecar@wsj.com