Dealer provides uncool response to A/C problem

October 04, 2013|Bob Weber | Motormouth
(Warren Skalski/ Photo for the Chicago Tribune)

Q: I love my Hyundai Genesis but the A/C has never cooled right. The dealer has always said "It's just the way it was designed." The dealer said he has checked everything. Nothing is wrong. But this summer it wouldn't cool the car when it was above 80 degrees outside. Any ideas?

— G.Z., Powell, Ohio

A: Apparently the dealer has not checked everything, so you may want to take the car somewhere else. We don't have enough data to make a guess at the problem, but we can tell you that there are myriad relays, pressure controls and sensors, any of which could be the culprit. It may be as simple as a bad connection somewhere. Ask around and find a good air-conditioning technician.

Q: I need some advice from the pro. I have a 2007 Audi A6 and I have developed the habit of switching to the power gear S when approaching a stoplight. I feel that by doing this I slow the car some and save on break wear. Is this harmful to the transmission (which would be more expensive than the brakes)?

— F.M., Western Springs, Ill.

A: In general, we prefer to use the brakes, not the transmission and engine, to slow the vehicle. Yes, brake pads are much cheaper than a transmission overhaul. However, electronically controlled automatic transmissions do no suffer as much damage as the older ones controlled by hydraulic pressures, so they are safer to downshift and upshift. That is why paddle and stick tapper shifters now exist. The computer controls will not allow the engine to be over-revved, and transmission internal clutch slippage is minimized.

Q: I recently acquired a 2004 Chevy Malibu that makes a clunking sound when turning. The noise happens as you are returning the wheel to the straight-ahead position. In doing some investigating on the Internet, I found that this is common with certain model years, and it seems to be the intermediate steering shaft lacking lubricant. Have you seen any Technical Service Bulletins on this problem, and if this is the cause, what type of lubricant is suggested and how is it applied?

— C.B., St. Charles, Ill.

A: The intermediate shaft connects the steering column to the rack-and-pinion steering gear with pinch bolts. You may be able to loosen them and force some white lithium grease into the connection, but chances are the noise will return. The best solution is to replace the intermediate shaft itself.

Q: What do you think of a "blow outwards" setting on the cabin fresh-air fan? This could blow off leaves and debris from the cabin's air inlet screens on the car hood.

— R.L., Chicago

A: Cool idea, but reversing the direction of the blower would not work. It is not like a ceiling fan. Instead, the fan component, called a squirrel cage (properly called a centrifugal fan), compresses and forces the air in only one direction.

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