by Jim Grey
Smart drivers know if they chose their vehicle with care, once it is paid for, cost savings will mount every year.

To reach that plateau, these drivers don’t wait until there is a problem with their vehicle to seek service; they rely on regular maintenance to prevent huge repair bills.

Electric Failure
That brings us to the summer, when heat and humidity mean a vehicle’s charging and air conditioning systems need special attention. Heat is the No.1 enemy of electrical components, and the older the components, the more likely they will fail.

A simple battery check will determine the long-term viability of the battery. Changing a battery in the shop is easier than waiting on the roadside for the AAA battery truck to arrive.

Alternator Check
Once the battery has been determined to be sufficient, the charging system should be checked. Today’s alternators have internal regulators and impressive reliability, lasting between 95,000 and 120,000 miles unless the electrical system is stressed, which sometimes comes from a short in the car’s electrical system or in the battery itself.

As reliable as the alternator has become, it will not continually recharge a fully-discharged battery and the alternator’s useful life can be cut in half when it is subject to this kind of abuse.

Originally, alternators would constantly recharge the battery and not be affected. Those vehicles had few electronics and a standard radio. Today, stereo systems, rear window defroster, electric windows, computer systems, air suspension controls, anti-lock braking systems and more are all an alternator can handle with a good battery.

Keeping Your Cool
Another modern automotive change is the R134a refrigerant used in today’s air conditioning systems.
The cooling ability of R134a has reached the capabilities of the old R12 system. When dealing with R134a, a careful examination and check of all system connections is necessary. R134a is made up of smaller molecules and can develop leaks easier than the larger molecule R12.

O-Ring Seals
The No.1 air conditioning repair is probably replacement of o-ring seals. Disreputatable garages may say a component needs to be replaced when in fact only the seals are faulty. If you do not know the garage you are dealing with, a second opinion may save you money.

Future air conditioning systems will use CO2, which requires high pressure to work. Special equipment and repair techniques will be required, but CO2 will not harm the environment.

With today’s pump prices, smart drivers will save money by keeping their automobiles in top running condition.

AAA Car Care Center (see page 5 for locations and hours) can help you set up a customized maintenance package, a service we offer members and nonmembers alike.

Jim Grey is president of AAA Car Care Center and a master technician. For more car care tips and money-saving coupons, visit AAA.com/carcare.