How to Take Care of Your Car AC: Prep Your Car for Summers

The sun is out, the summer mode is on, the white sheets of snow and flowers have passed, and we have yet again witnessed the magic of nature. However, when it comes to scorching heat, there are many precautions that one has to take. From the general SPF 50 to hydration to overheated devices, there is a set of maintenance strategies that we follow. for every other thing. Your car is no different since it requires various tips and maintenance during the sunny weather.

In our previous article, we discussed a few tips and tricks to keep the vehicle at maximum efficiency. In this article, we will be looking at a few essential maintenance and repairs that the air conditioner system must go through to assure its maximum working during the hot weather.

Air conditioner becomes one of the most important accessories in modern cars, with almost all types and models of vehicles enjoying its benefit. However, as much as it is popular, most car owners remain clueless about its maintenance and working system. Here are some steps you can practice to understand how to take care of your car A/C and enjoy cool air in the warm summers.

Let’s get started!

1. Keep things shut

A lot of people try to open the car windows while travelling with the A/c switched off, to make the interior as cool as possible. However, it will only make the air conditioning system less efficient. Since you would be putting extra strain on the system, it would consume more coolant and fuel, costing you in the long run. And it won’t even make the temperature much cooler in any sense! 

2. Recharge Often

Just like most car components, your air conditioner system also runs on a certain kind of fluid. If you don’t take care of the fluid level, you may encounter many issues including inefficiency. Refrigerants, also known as coolant, work to cool down the air before distributing it across the vehicle. If that is running low, your air conditioner system will obviously not perform well.

If you notice that your air conditioner system is not blowing air efficiently, it might be time for some refrigerant recharge. The recommended recharge time is possibly every two to three years, but check your manuals for more information. Additionally, if the refrigerant is depleting too quickly, you might want to inspect it for some leak in the system. If you let this go on for too long, though, it can cause more issues that often result in a higher repair bill.

| Also read: Summer Car Care Tips: The Complete Guide to Get Your Car Summer-Ready |

3. Clean it through

When your air conditioner system has not been used for a long time, it can lead to a build-up of mould and moisture, which would additionally lead to inefficient working. Regularly cleaning, dusting, and vacuuming will help limit the accumulation of dirt and debris. Moreover, if you ignore the cleaning schedule, you would notice odour and bad smell every time you switch on the system.

Additionally, you should also change the filter regularly to ensure optimal performance. The ideal time to change the filter every 12,000 miles or so as the dust and debris usually get clogged in the system.

It is suggested that your air filter be changed every 12,000 miles or so due to dust and debris that can get in there and clog up your system. Make sure it is completely dry before installing it again.

It is advised not to attempt filter change and cleaning process on your own. For much better performance, opt for the air conditioner professional to do the job. 

4. Look at the Compressor

The AC compressor is one of the most essential components of the air conditioning system. A functioning compressor is a must if you want cool air to blow out from the vents. However, it is not always easy to detect any issue in the compressor right away. The compressor is surrounded by many working parts, it becomes difficult to experience wear and tear.

As soon as you recognize the signs, ensure that you opt for the repair quickly.

| Also Read: Car Air Conditioner: Everything you should know about Car’s A/c |

5. Run your air con weekly

It is important to turn the air conditioning on every week and let it run for approximately 10 minutes. Setting the temperature to the coolest setting and the fan to the quicker speed helps to maintain the gas pressure at the optimum level. This little tip also maintains the compressor and reduces any chance of a mechanical issue.

To prevent any build-up of moisture and dew, you can also run the car air conditioning system at the defrost setting for 10 minutes every week. You will notice that the air is fresher and pleasant than before.

6. Service Schedule

It is important to follow the service schedule as mentioned by the manufacturer as it will ensure that all the necessary services are carried out. A professional person will take care of the recharge, replacement or repair of any part, leakage, and will also advise you on how to deal with issues better.

The regular service will help you avoid any unforeseen breakdown which would, in turn, help you avoid the harsh sun on a summer afternoon.

A general A/c check includes:

• Temperature
• Replacement of the gas
• Inspection for any leakage or damage
• Inspection of the air filter
• Sanitization of the air-con system

With this, we end our article on how to take care of your A/c in summer. Hope you found this informative. For more such articles, keep watching this space.