Fluids, Heat & Air Conditioning Repair & Maintenance

Air conditioning

• Is there any way I can tell if my air conditioner needs refrigerant?
• Can I recharge my A/C system myself?
• My A/C system is leaking refrigerant. How do I find the leak?
• My mechanic says I have to have a refrigerant leak fixed before he can legally recharge my air conditioner. Is that true?
• The air conditioner isn't cooling very well. What's wrong?

Coolant (see also air conditioning)

• How often should I change my anti-freeze?
• What is environmentally safe antifreeze? How do I dispose of used antifreeze?
• What are the most common causes of engine overheating?
• Will a radiator stop leak additive really stop a coolant leak?
• The cooling system keeps losing coolant but I don't see any leaks. Where is it going?

Cooling system/antifreeze/radiator/fan/hoses

• How often should I change my anti-freeze?
• What is environmentally safe antifreeze? How do I dispose of used antifreeze?
• What are the most common causes of engine overheating?
• Will a radiator stop leak additive really stop a coolant leak?
• The cooling system keeps losing coolant but I don't see any leaks. Where is it going?
• Is it necessary to replace the radiator and heater hoses for preventative maintenance?
• What does the thermostat do and what typically happens if it fails?
• Will installing a lower temperature thermostat help my engine run cooler and prevent it from overheating?
• My radiator has an electric cooling fan, but the fan doesn't run all the time. Is that normal?

Heat

• My heater isn't putting out much hot air. What's wrong?

Power steering fluid

• Power steering feels stiff when I first start the car, but feels normal after I've driven awhile. Why?
• Does the power steering fluid ever need to be changed? Why?