Pickup trucks can be more useful than an SUV

Q .

You have used the phrase “a truck for people who don’t know they need a truck yet” more than once. What is that supposed to mean?

A

. I own a small SUV and it is handy and does almost everything I need it to. But to me, pickup trucks, especially small pickup trucks, can even be more useful. As an example, for picking up yard supplies, mulch, topsoil, stone, things that you wouldn’t want to put in a back of an SUV. Carrying a larger piece of furniture like a hutch or picnic table, all things that are far easier to carry in a pickup bed rather than on the roof or in the cargo area of an SUV. Sure, a car or SUV with a trailer would do the same, but small trucks are just handy, and you don’t realize how handy they are until you own one.

Q

. My husband recently purchased a brand new 2021 Nissan Maxima SR. I find the ride to be very harsh as I can feel every tiny bump and dip in the road. He’s already reduced the tire pressure down to 30 psi (it was 37 psi at the dealer) and while that helped a little bit it’s still a bumpy ride, even compared to our SUV. He’s thinking of changing the shocks to something softer or maybe a softer running set of tires. Do you have any suggestions about this?

A

. There really isn’t much you can do; the Nissan Maxima is a sports sedan with stiff low-profile tires. It is this combination of suspension (shocks and springs) and tires that make the car handle well but also ride stiff. The tire size on the SR version is 245/40/19. One option may be switching to the tire wheel combination that comes on the SV model which uses a 245/45/18 tire. Perhaps the dealer, if the SV model is in stock, would swap wheels and tires to see if there is enough of an improvement to make it worthwhile.

Q .

I purchased a Battery Tender for my 2019 Ford Edge as you mentioned in past columns. The car will be in my garage for approximately six weeks in early 2022. Should I just install the battery tender on the battery and leave both terminals connected to the car? Or disconnect the negative battery cable which would lose all settings and the power to the electronics?

A

. The Battery Tender. like most floatstyle battery chargers, is designed to be hooked up to the battery while connected to the car. One additional option is to wire the Battery Tender directly to the battery using the plug-in harness rather than the battery clamps.

If you will be leaving your car unattended more often this option is a bit more of a solid connection and easier to use.

Q

. A few years ago, I had the factory air conditioning on my 1970 Oldsmobile converted from Freon R12 to R-134a. This summer the air conditioner only blew warm air. My question is can I convert back to Freon and do I need to stay with R134a and how much do I need? I cannot find a chart that goes back to the 1970s.

A

. The problem with R134 is it runs at higher pressures and has smaller molecules than

R12 (Freon) and is more apt to find a leak. The older air conditioner hoses didn’t have the same sealing as the new hoses and the R134 can seep through the hose. Actual R12 hasn’t been made in years and if you can find it you are supposed to be both licensed to buy and sell it. The last I heard original R12 was selling for up to $100 a pound. According to one of the databases that I use, Mitchell1, the typical A/C system in a 1970 Oldsmobile used four pounds of R12. Looking online, the conversion from R12 to R134a is 3.25 pounds. I suspect you have a leak. Perhaps try a DIY can of R134a with a dye and sealer and see what happens. You may stop the leak, or the dye will at least help you find the source.

Q . My 2004 Malibu Maxx is leaking antifreeze. I can see it on the ground. This has only seemed to have happened after I have replaced the radiator, oil and transmission gaskets as well as some hoses. What do I do?

A . The very first thing is to check the coolant level. Driving with low coolant in the radiator will cause the engine to overheat and possibly damage it beyond repair. I would return to the shop that replaced the radiator and explain what is going on. They should pressure test the cooling system to look for a leak. Possibilities include a leaking radiator, engine freeze-plug, other hoses or even a defective radiator.

Q . Any thoughts on the newest Mini Cooper, I know in the past you were not a fan. Currently, I am looking at a 2021 convertible and since it is not convertible season the dealer has two in stock.

A

. You have a good memory, I wasn’t a fan og the first-generation Mini Cooper. I recently spent some time in the latest Mini Cooper convertible and found it a solid fun-to-drive car with a quirky/funky interior. I also was amazed at the quality of the Haartz convertible top that had the Union Jack flag woven into it. Regarding reliability,

Mini Cooper has come a long way since the first model that I drove.

John Paul is an automotive consumer advocate with AAA. Questions can be sent to him via email at https:// northeast.aaa.com/ automotive/aaa-cardoctor/ask-the-expert. html.