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Facts About Your Car's Air
Conditioning System
Air conditioning, which was once a luxury, is now a
common feature on most vehicles. While the servicing
of car air conditioning systems is best left to
professionals, you can get the most enjoyment from
your system if you know a bit about how it works and
what malfunctions you should be on the lookout for.
You may need to recharge your system if your car
doesn't feel cold enough
If your car doesn't feel as cold as it used to, then
your system may need servicing, as the refrigerant
gas that is used to operate the system depletes over
time. Most vehicles lose up to 15% per year on
average. This leakage usually occurs because the
system is not used during the winter months,
allowing the small "O" ring seals to dry out and
causing a gradual deterioration in system
performance. If this continues, eventually the
system will not be able to operate at all.
Most problems of this type can be corrected fairly
easily by a leak check of your system followed by a
complete refill of your air conditioning
refrigerant. This is sometimes referred to as a
re-gas.
Consider running your air conditioning year round
to help maintain the system
If you run the air conditioning in the winter it
will help to keep the system well lubricated and
leak tight. This is because the refrigerant actually
carries the oil that lubricates the system and most
importantly the compressor. It also keeps the seals
and hoses moist, thus preventing them from drying
out and cracking, which can lead to leaks.
Strange noises should be attended to immediately
 If
your air conditioning system suddenly starts making
noises you have not heard before it is important to
have a qualified vehicle air conditioning specialist
have a look at it. Some noises could be early
symptoms of a compressor failure (the compressor is
the air conditioning pump). The compressor is
usually the most expensive part of the system and if
the bearings in your compressor break down or if the
compressor seizes up it also means that other
components can become contaminated. A flush of the
system would then be needed, as well as replacement
of the compressor and other parts, which could be
quite costly.
Don't worry about a pool of water forming under
your car after using the A/C
If you see a puddle of water on the ground, usually
under the passenger area, don't be alarmed. This is
a normal feature of the system; it is only water
dripping from the air conditioning evaporator. The
evaporator has a drain tube fitted to allow the
condensation from the evaporator to drain away from
the vehicle.
Excessive moisture inside the car can be fixed
easily
Sometimes the drain tube from the evaporator may
become blocked or detached allowing the condensation
to build up inside your evaporator. If this occurs,
water will just build up inside your car to a point
where there are damp carpets or high humidity type
problems. These problems can be solved with low-cost
servicing. Talk to your mechanic if you notice a lot
of moisture in the car.
Have your air conditioning serviced regularly,
even if there are no visible problems
Just as the other systems of your car need servicing
on a regular basis, the same is true for the air
conditioning system. The compressor needs oil, or
else it will seize up. The filter collects debris
and moisture. If the filter becomes blocked, then
the performance of the system will deteriorate and
it can even quit working entirely.
Normally the refrigerant gas in a car air
conditioning system has to be recharged completely
within four years from the manufacture's date and
every two to three years after that.
Although your car's air conditioning system is not
usually part of the regular maintenance schedule,
it's a good idea to have your mechanic do an annual
servicing to guard against malfunctions in the
compressor and other vital parts of the system.
Regular maintenance will save you money in the long
run and guarantee you comfort in the hottest months.
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