Imagine being on the road on a very hot day without your car’s air conditioning (A/C) working. On the other hand, imagine driving during a down-pour of rain and your A/C doesn’t work. Those two general scenarios sound like a recipe for high tension and you being miserable.
Very few things are nicer than being in your car with the A/C running when you need it. However, you can only enjoy such a feeling if the A/C is operating at optimal level. In order to do that, care and maintenance is crucial. If you constantly utilise it without ensuring that the conditions are right for continued optimal performance, then there will come a time when the air conditioning won’t work as well you would like it to.
Your car’s air conditioner comprises several components. If any of them fails to perform at their best, it will eventually result in the malfunctioning of the whole system.
The reality is that car owners tend to check their vehicle’s A/C only when it malfunctions. Instead of saving money and time, you may end up spending a lot on spare parts that should have been replaced long before they were worn out.
Here are some tips and guidelines on how to maintain and keep your car’s air-conditioning system in good running condition all-year round:
Yearly check-up on your A/C system
Your air conditioning system generally relies on three components to operate. Those are: the evaporator, condenser, and compressor. They’re essentially part of a machine and are also prone to wear and tear. This means that they need a regular check-up to protect them from any breakdown, especially if your vehicle is old.
Doing a yearly check-up is one of the simplest tasks, and yet people choose not to do it. Many are ‘cool’ with the mantra of ‘if it’s not broken, leave it alone’ or any variation of that. Don’t be reactive. Even if your car’s A/C system is cooling properly, it is still better to have it checked at least once a year.
Check for blockage in air filters and condensers:
If the air filter and condenser in your car’s air conditioning system suffer from blockage, it causes obstruction of the airflow over the cooling coils of the A/C. Due to this, washing the air conditioning condenser from time to time becomes important.
Removal of moisture from the car:
There are instances when the moisture trapped in upholstery (car seats) or car mats due to liquid spillage over them can plague the car’s A/C unit. To prevent this from happening, it is essential to remove the trapped moisture from these areas as soon as possible.
Clean the cabin air filter:
Not to be confused with the engine air filter, the cabin air filter of your car’s air conditioning system can get dirty due to consistent driving in polluted or dusty areas. This filter is generally located below the dashboard and should also be vacuumed from time to time during general service check-ups. A dirty cabin air filter has the potential to harm the A/C system of your car.
Clean the engine radiator:
The engine radiator is not a direct component of your car’s air conditioning system. However, it can impact the cooling efficiency if it fails to keep the engine operating temperature at an optimum level, resulting in inefficient cooling by the car A/C. So, it is essential to cleanse the radiator and top up the coolant level periodically.
Check the condition of the drive belt and hoses:
The compressor of your car’s air conditioning system is driven by the engine through a drive belt, which might not work optimally in case of lack of proper lubrication. So, it is crucial to keep an eye on the drive belt and gas hoses of your car’s A/C system.
As usual, refer to your vehicle’s manual as well as check with your car care professional.
This is the ninth article in the weekly series, ‘Car Care Tips’ where we highlight various aspects of a car, how to provide care and maintenance for optimal performance while ensuring safety. This series may feature your favourite mechanic or others from the motor vehicle industry.
Read the eighth installment of Care Care Tips below:
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