Most Australians live in their cars. Unlike other countries, we tend to drive long distances to value the freedom of traveling as we please. For this reason, we enjoy the comforts of our vehicles. Air conditioning is a staple in every modern car and a necessity for surviving the hot Australian summers. Most of us expect it to be there. However, we take it for granted and don’t overthink about how to keep it running as best it can.
How Your Car Air Conditioner Works
Let’s quickly explore how your air conditioner works before we look at how to keep it running.
All air conditioning systems, in your car and outside, cools and reduces the humidity.
What you may or may not realise is that turning on the air conditioning reduces the fuel economy of your car. It takes a lot of energy to remove the heat and moisture from the air in the car. Thus, more petrol is consumed as a result of the extra engine load.
The main parts the make up your cars air conditioner are:
- Compressor
- Condenser
- Receiver
- Expansion Valve
- Evaporator
These are the main parts that you will want to have checked over if your air conditioner is not working at its peak.
Getting the Most from Your Air Conditioner
It’s likely you’ve never thought much about how to operate an air conditioner. Turning it on and off, changing the temperature; it all seems pretty straightforward, right? But when you consider that your air conditioner is a component of your car that impacts it’s efficiency, it makes sense to consider how to get the most from it.
Don’t Pre-Cool
You shouldn’t start your car air conditioning until you are actually driving. This is when the engine is turning faster, which means the A/C compressor is also running faster and is then more effective.
Go to Low Settings
If you want to keep the air conditioner on without consuming too much fuel, try to keep it on low settings rather than blasting it.
Make Sure Your Filter is Clean
Check your cabin air filter to make sure it’s clean. Dirty filters prevent optimal airflow. This is relatively easy to check in newer cars. If there is dust over the air filter, it is time to change.
Regular Services
When you get your car serviced, make sure you have the mechanic check if any repairs are required for your air conditioner. Check for problems when you do your own inspections and flag these to your mechanic when booking a service.
If your air conditioning is not performing as it should, we’re happy to provide advice and services. Call us today on 08 6500 1708 to book a car service in Perth, or contact us online.