Support for Car Talk is provided by:

Cartalk Columns

 

August 1990


Dear Tom and Ray:
My husband and I have a 1990 Buick. The problem is that he simply refuses to use the air conditioner. We have had new cars for the past several years, and he always says that using the air conditioning in city driving will cause the car to overheat and vapor lock. We have had temperatures approaching 100 this summer, and yet he insists we drive with the windows open, blowing hot air into the car, and completely destroying my hairdo. I asked him if maybe cars these days are made so one could use the air conditioning without a problem. He says no. Please comment on this in your column.
Betty

RAY: Well Betty, we sent your family stationery out to be carbon-dated, and the results indicate that you and your husband have been around for a while. Right?

TOM: Unfortunately, hubby still seems to be stuck in the stone age. He probably had this sort of overheating problem on his first Stutz-Bearcat, and he never forgot it.

RAY: Assuming that the cooling system on your car is in good working order (and you would certainly assume that of a brand new car), driving in city traffic with the air conditioner on should be no problem. Trust us. If air conditioners could only be used in cold weather, they'd sell a lot fewer of them.

TOM: So roll up the windows, Betty, and turn on the AC full blast. If your husband complains, tell him to take a hike. With your hairdo intact, you should have no trouble picking up a nice 19 year old.
Beat up old car

Back to the August 1990 index


Share this column with a friend.

© 2006 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.




Auto repairs can be costly! Save money by ordering Tom and Ray's pamphlet: "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

Search Car Talk