Ladies, summer is just beginning, and the temperature is so hot that walking from your home to your car can feel like you have just run a marathon … in a sweat suit. With no end in sight to this excruciating heat, I got to thinking about every woman’s worst nightmare in this summer heat - the A/C going out in your mobile palace.

There is nothing that can put a damper on a shopping trip or good hair day like the unintentional wind-blown look that comes with having an A/C problem. Since AAA Car Care emphasizes routine preventive maintenance to expand the life of our mobile palaces, I asked our professionals about the suggested maintenance procedures for A/C systems.

First and foremost, for all you do-it-yourselfers out there, your car’s A/C system is really not something you want to experiment with, but there are things you can ask your mechanic. Like everything else we have discussed, it’s good to know what is going on with your car to make sure you are getting a fair deal and what they mean by terms such as “tensioner” and “system pressure.”

The three most important things to ask your mechanic about when getting your vehicle’s A/C system checked are cooling fans, belt tensioners and system pressure. Most vehicles have two cooling fans and if one or both of them are not working properly, it can be instant Sweatsville for you and your family. Belt tensioners and the condition of those belts ensure that your A/C system runs smoothly. If those belts are worn, you can expect some serious A/C problems. Getting the system pressure checked can also ensure that your vehicle’s A/C system is running up to the manufacturer’s standards and keeping you cool simultaneously.

Your vehicle’s A/C system is a very intricate and sometimes confusing mechanism. It can be tempting to ask your mother’s best friend’s son who took a semester of auto shop in high school to fix your car, but the way I see it, I would rather drive with Arctic chill blowing in my hair knowing that my car is backed by a two-year, 24,000 mile warranty. That’s the peace of mind we talk so much about here at AAA.

Ultimately, when debating whether or not to have your car’s A/C system checked, I would tell you to go ahead and take the time to get it done, because let’s be honest: hot and sweaty never really looks good on anyone. And feeling that cool A/C blow on you after that long trek from the house to the car makes it all worth it!

If you have any tip and tricks, or there is something you want to know about, email me at girlsgarage@mailaaa.com 

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