Air conditioning and heating are two essential features of modern vehicles. In this article, we explore the essentials that are handy to know and suggest some ideas as to how to get your systems working well.
Air Conditioning during Summer
During summer, we all tend to reach for the air conditioner.
Don’t Precool
Opening the interior of a car that has been sitting in the sun feels like a punishment, but that doesn’t mean you should precool. Rather, let all the hot air out and run the air-conditioner when you are actually driving the car.
Keep Your Filter Clean
A dirty filter will make the process longer and less efficient. Check whether your filter is clean or not. If there is dirt and dust, clean it off – especially if you are driving a modern car where filters are easily accessible.
Settings: Start in Low
Turning on the air conditioner in high settings can delay the process, and occasionally even cause failures. At the very least, it uses a lot of energy that could otherwise be used elsewhere.
Starting in low, however, gives your air conditioner time to warm up. Once that happens, you can gradually increase to a higher temperature.
Problems
Many people experience problems with their air conditioners as a result of these actions:
- Turning off the car first instead of turning off the air conditioner and then the car. This can cause a shock to the unit and it won’t allow the evaporator to work as well as it should.
- Exaggerated temperatures. A very cold car running in a very hot climate may lead to engine issues, as the air conditioner is powered by the engine.
Heating
Here are a few things to keep in mind to help your heater run efficiently.
Lots of People? Open a Window
When the heater is on in a full car, the windows can get foggy quickly. Avoid that by keeping a sliver of a window open.
Run Your Car First
Heat is automatically generated by the engine as it runs, which is why you should allow your car to start up and start running before you turn on the heater.
Don’t Idle
Idling is a problem, as it can reduce engine performance and lead to issues with mileage. Additionally, it is also highly inefficient and consumes more gasoline than driving the car would.
Common Problems
A heater may not work for a variety of reasons:
- Low radiator water levels
- Contaminated coolant
- A broken blower fan
The best way to address these issues is to book your car in for a service where a mechanic can assess the problem.
Contact Us
We at Carcare Joondalup are here to help. If you have any questions about our services or this article, call us today on (08) 9300 9796 or contact us online. Our team of expert mechanics will help you with any services or questions you may have.