How to Fix and Recharge Your Car's Air Conditioner
If you want to avoid having to sit in a hot car in the midst of a heatwave this summer, you need to make sure that your vehicle's air conditioning system is working properly. To give you a helping hand, we have put together a brief guide to car air con systems, including how to address common issues and ensure that it's fully recharged.
How Does Air Conditioning Work?
Air conditioning systems use refrigerant gas to cool down warm air. As the refrigerant gas is consistently changing between its liquid and gas forms, some is lost within the system. Recharging air con gas is, therefore, an essential component of good vehicle maintenance.
How Do I Maintain My Car's Air Conditioning?
As air conditioning systems contain a range of moving parts as well as fans, filters and refrigerant gas, it's a vehicle system that requires regular maintenance to guarantee its efficiency.
The good news is that maintaining and recharging air con systems doesn't need to be difficult. Firstly, it can be beneficial to book an appointment with vehicle experts at your local Protyre garage (https://www.protyre.co.uk/garages) for a service, MOT, or simply to seek qualified advice about a specific issue.
In addition to regular services, we recommend testing your air conditioning frequently to ensure it is still operating as it should. Although you won't need it to keep cool during the winter months, air conditioning can help you to efficiently dehumidify your vehicle. Turning on your air conditioning regularly throughout the winter season will also help you to ensure the system isn't negatively affected by the cold weather and will work properly as the weather starts to get warmer.
There are also a few general maintenance steps you can take in between services, including changing the cabin filter and ensuring that your air con gas is recharged.
Can I recharge the AC system in a car myself?
Whilst it may be possible to top up your car's air con coolant yourself with a kit you've purchased, we would strongly advise against it. Not only is it critical to obtain the correct type of gas for your vehicle, but the gases are potentially harmful to you and the environment and the savings are minimal. It is safest to consult a professional who will be able to service your system appropriately.
How long does it take to fix the air conditioner in a car?
An air conditioning service and recharge typically takes 45 minutes to complete, however this varies depending on the condition of your vehicle and the age of the air conditioning system.
Why Should I Recharge the Air Conditioner in a Car?
As well as helping you keep the inside of your vehicle cool even during the hot summer months, recharging your air con gas has a number of other benefits.
Fuel Efficiency
To ensure that you're always getting the most value from a full tank of fuel, recharging your air con gas is a must. When your refrigerant gas is getting low, the system will find it much more difficult to effectively cool the air and this results in the consumption of extra fuel.
Lower Repair Costs
Refrigerant gas also helps to keep the air conditioning compressor cool, which is important because it will otherwise become extremely hot and more likely to fail. This can result in costly repair jobs, so it can be financially beneficial to always ensure your air con gas is recharged.
Frequently Asked Questions
As air conditioning is categorised as a feature that is 'nice to have' and isn't a critical component in the overall safety of a vehicle. It isn't a factor that is considered during an annual MOT. Air con isn't often included in standard service packages, so you will need to seek out a dedicated air con recharge service at your local garage.
The frequency at which you will need to recharge your air conditioning system depends on the make and model of your vehicle, so it is good practice to refer to your car's handbook for more information. Generally speaking, you will likely need to recharge your air conditioning system once every two years.
If you're here after searching for something like "recharge AC system car", you're in the right place because as well as being on hand to provide expert advice on tyres from top brands like Falken and Pirelli, Protyre experts also offer a variety of vehicle maintenance services including air conditioning recharges. Simply search for your nearest Protyre today.