How often should you have to recharge a car’s A/C?

S. My wife’s 2007 Honda Civic was blowing hot air when the air conditioner was on. I purchased a 12 ounce can of R-134A refrigerant and recharged the system. It is working fine now. However, this car’s air conditioning was also recharged last year by the mechanic. How long should coolants typically last? I have never recharged my 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. I think there may be a leak in the Civic’s air conditioning system. Your thoughts?

A. There was a time, many years ago, when recharging your air conditioning system every few years was fairly common. Today, because the systems are sealed much better, some vehicles — like your 17-year-old Volkswagen — may never need to add coolant. If your Civic needs coolant again after just one year, there’s likely a slow leak somewhere in the system. Turning off the coolant will usually temporarily restore cooling, but eventually the system will become low enough that performance will decrease again. Keep in mind that adding coolant can temporarily restore cooling if the system is running low, but overcharging can also damage the system. At this point, have the system professionally inspected for leaks. Common sources include leaking hoses, o-ring seals, condensers, or compressor shaft seals.

S. I watch a lot of DIY videos and I’ve noticed that some people carry knives and others carry multi-tools and small pliers. What do you keep – or have you kept – in your pocket?

A. Although I’m a bit of a geek, for many years I carried a pocket protector with a Phillips/flat head screwdriver, flashlight, tire pressure gauge and a good quality pen. Today, I usually carry a small pocket knife and keep a multi-tool close to me. More recently, the TRUE Titanium Pocket Multitool. For lighting, I replaced my old Streamlight with an OLight ArkPro Flashlight. It is compact, rechargeable and very bright. It also features a green laser pointer, which is useful for pointing out problems in cars without touching them, as well as a UV light that can help track leaks when a fluorescent dye is added to the system.

S. Are gas additives for cleaning injectors necessary or recommended? I see a lot of mixed answers. We have a 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid that we really like and plan to keep for a long time, so I want to do it right. If injector cleaners are worthwhile, what ingredient should I look for?

A. Based on the tests I’ve seen over the years, using fuel injector cleaner periodically makes sense. In fact, some car manufacturers now include an injector cleaning service as part of regular maintenance. For something like a Toyota hybrid, using a cleaner two or three times a year is reasonable. My favorite product is Chevron Techron because it contains polyetheramine, which is an effective combustion chamber and injector cleaner. Using gasoline from stations listed on Top Tier Gasoline can also help keep your injectors and combustion chambers clean over time.

S. The check engine light on my car is on. What should I do first?

A. Start with the basics and make sure the gas cap is secure. A loose or defective gas cap is a common cause of a check engine light. If the light is flashing, send the vehicle to a repair shop as soon as possible. A flashing check engine light usually indicates an engine misfire that can quickly damage the catalytic converter. If the light is on solid, have the computer scan it for diagnostic trouble codes. The code itself doesn’t always identify exactly what part is broken, but it points the technician in the right direction. Some auto parts stores will scan codes for free and may provide a basic diagnosis with the help of artificial intelligence.

S. About two or three months ago, my son received notice that his 2004 Dodge Ram pickup had a defective air bag and needed to be replaced immediately. The notice said the truck was dangerous to drive and should remain parked until it was repaired. My son called the number on the recall notice multiple times and left messages, but no one responded. He also called the distributor who said he would order the part and call him back, but heard nothing. The truck has only 60,000 miles and is in good condition, registered and insured. She really needs to get back on the road.

A. This is especially frustrating when there is a “Do Not Drive” warning and no one follows it. I will escalate the issue directly through Stellantis. The company has a dedicated “Stop-Drive” advisory number: 833-585-0144. I also like to contact multiple traders rather than relying on just one. In addition, it would be helpful to file a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This is a federally tracked safety issue, and the manufacturer is legally obligated to address the safety-related recall.

S. I have a new Honda CR-V, and my neighbor has a small boat I’d like to buy. The boat, motor, and trailer weigh about 2,500 pounds. Can I tow it with my Honda?

A. Most Honda CR-Vs have a towing capacity between 1,000 and 1,500 pounds. Your CR-V may be able to tow this amount of weight, but it exceeds the vehicle’s rated towing capacity and is not recommended. The concern is not only limited to engine power. The biggest issues are the cooling system, transmission durability, and most importantly, braking ability. The CR-V can generally handle towing a jet ski, a lightweight trailer, or a small camping trailer, but the 2,500-pound boat package simply exceeds what the vehicle is designed to tow safely.

John Paul He is the automotive physician at AAA Northeast. He has over 40 years of experience in the automotive industry and is an ASE Certified Master Technician. Email your Car Doctor question to [email protected]. Listen to the Car Doctor Podcast on Apple Podcast Or other popular podcast sites.