Summer is approaching and that means long car journeys. Following some basic car care tips will ensure you can drive around all summer long. There’s only one thing worse than not being in control of the radio on a long journey and that’s not having good air conditioning. Here are some common signs of problems with a vehicle’s air conditioning system.
Moisture
When it’s boiling hot inside the car, the air conditioner lowers and cools the temperature. When it is stuffy and choked up the air conditioner dries. And when it feels as though you can taste smells in the air, the air conditioner cleans the air by forcing the warmer air to release outside.
While an air conditioner can deal with these pressures for a while, the heightened pressures brought upon by the summer heat take a toll. Overworking the air conditioner can result in moisture or debris contaminating it, leading to serious system failures.
Pungent Odours
During the cool winter months, your AC might not have got much use. The problem is, this can cause bacteria, fungi, and microorganisms to accumulate. In fact, an unused air conditioner it’s the perfect breeding ground for these organisms.
A build-up of bacteria isn’t just unhygienic – it can also cause your car to emit pungent odours.
Low Refrigeration Level
The ‘oil’ of your AC, is called refrigerant. Each year the refrigerant levels in your car’s air conditioner drop by approximately 15%. This actually tends to happen primarily in the winter months due to the inactivity of the AC drying out the seals and hindering productivity.
Make sure you refill your refrigerant and fix any leaks that are discovered in the tank.
Solid Condenser
The solid condenser is what cools the refrigerant vapours as they exit the compressor. Clogging up the condenser with grit, dirt, grime, and debris hinders the ability of air to flow through your car, preventing cool air from circulating.
Unclogging the condenser requires a high-quality flushing agent. Alternatively, if the condenser has seen better days, you can replace it. This could be an economically sound idea if the rest of the AC seems to be in good health. The financial hit of a new condenser is much cheaper than replacing the whole system.
Mechanical Complications
An air conditioner is a machine of many parts. That means many things can go wrong. Many issues that can arise in air conditioners are derived from a single part failure. This malfunction has a knock on effect that spreads through the entire system. If you don’t have your car and AC regularly serviced, then what started as an innocent, cheap, replacement job turns into a complete air conditioning replacement and a big impact on your bank account.
Air conditioners are vital and usually sturdy tools during a hot Aussie summer. Make sure you’re looking after yours by booking in for a service at Carcare Joondalup.