Open-and-Shut Air-Conditioning Case
Question: I was recently visiting Nevada City where the temperature was 105 degrees. While driving with the air conditioner on, I was ridiculed by some friends for having the driver’s window open about one inch to vent any fumes. They said the windows should be shut tight with the air conditioning on. My car is a 1978 Cadillac. Who’s correct?--M.R.
Answer: I would side with your friends in that argument, but it probably doesn’t make much difference. If your style is to crack the window, you shouldn’t take any guff from your friends. After all, it’s your Cadillac.
The air-conditioning systems on most General Motors cars have two settings, maximum and normal. The difference is that on normal, about 80% of the air that is run through the air-conditioning system is drawn from the outside and 20% is recirculated from the inside.
On the maximum setting, the proportion is exactly reversed with only 20% of the air being drawn from the outside. If you want a lot of outside air, it’s probably quieter to simply set the air conditioner on normal than to keep the window open.
Incidentally, I am assuming your exhaust system is in good condition. If you’re venting the car because you have an exhaust leak, you should get the leak fixed before you kill yourself. A lot of times, just keeping the window open will not clear fumes out of the passenger compartment.
Q: I would like to state that I have known since Nov. 11, 1985, that GM markets junk in the guise of motor vehicles. That is the date on which I took delivery of a 1981 Chevrolet C-10. My new truck never ran like the one it replaced.
I took this vehicle to the dealer on several occasions because it was running poorly and would stall constantly when it was cold. I kept getting the story: “We put them on the computer, and they’re set up to run the best they will, and what you get is what you get.”
I have resolved that to prevent GM from getting any more of my money than is absolutely necessary, I will make this truck last until GM Chairman Roger Smith is in diapers again. What else can somebody in my place do?--R.R.
A: I’d say you must have a lot of resolve, because Roger Smith is probably going to outlast your C-10. But there’s plenty you can do if you have a lemon.
Almost every state now has a lemon law, giving you specific rights when your vehicle is flawed from the day you take delivery. Pursuing those rights will take a little bit of investigation, but it’s worth the effort.
One good place to start is with the auto club. These auto clubs in many areas have a legal-advice service for members. They can assist in filling out legal forms and even file the forms in some cases.
If you’re not an auto club member, you can contact your state’s consumer affairs department, which usually has information booklets about the lemon laws. The consumer affairs offices usually hear these complaints and make a decision.
You should also contact the Better Business Bureau in your area. General Motors has an agreement to arbitrate settlements on certain repairs for its vehicles through the bureaus.
As a last resort, there is small claims court. Most states bar parties from having attorneys present, so you will not be knocked out from the start by a team of high-powered lawyers.
Ralph Vartabedian cannot answer mail personally but will respond in this column to automotive questions of general interest. Do not telephone. Write to Your Wheels, You section, The Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.
