Automotive Air Conditioning Service

Summer is here and things are heating up, and so will you if you haven’t gotten round to having your Automotive Air Conditioning Service.  What should be a relaxing drive could leave you feeling like you’re being baked in an oven if the air-con system has a fault or needs to be regassed.

Don’t get caught , book your service now so that you feel the benefits of cool, crisp air even when humidity is high.

Why automotive air conditioning needs to be serviced

Like all car components, the air conditioning system has a life expectancy and if it isn’t maintained, its effectiveness will deteriorate until it fails. Air from outside the vehicle is drawn in via a compressor filled with refrigerant. This cool air enters through the vents and is circulated in the cabin.

Between 10% and 15% of these gases leak each year, compromising the system. By law, large leaks should be inspected and repaired as refrigerant is harmful to the environment.

1. Too little refrigerant allows air and moisture into the compressor shaft. Seals degrade leading to eroding pipework which is very expensive to replace.

2. The car remains a healthy environment. Moisture build-up encourages bacteria and fungus growth. Airborne bacteria can aggravate pre-existing conditions such as asthma and allergies and can cause sore throats.

3. Cleaner air. No-one wants their car to smell stale and stagnant. Mold spores in the air-con system will soon begin to stink.

4. Better fuel efficiency. Failing air conditioning has to work harder to supply cool air, and will, therefore, harm your car’s performance.

What an automotive air conditioning service entails?

When you drop your car off for an A/C service, it will go through a series of checks to determine the best course of action.

• Initial testing of the efficiency of the system operation
• Top-up the refrigerant to the recommended level
• Refresh the A/C lubricant
• Full system check of seals and hoses, potential leaks, temperature, and efficiency
• Recovery of the refrigerant, and if necessary removal of any air and moisture
• Final full system check

Other causes of failed automotive air conditioning

Although leaking refrigerant is the most common cause and easy fix of auto air conditioning issues, other problems may occur.
These will be highlighted during the service and will incur greater costs.

A defective cooling fan, air conditioning compressor, and condenser, or electrical problems might be the root of warm air coming from the cooling system.

How long does an automotive air conditioning service takes

It depends on the make and model of the car you drive, but when you consider that most dealerships offer you a while-you-wait service, you know you’re not going to be kept waiting too long.
On average, to check and refill the A/C system should only take around 20-minutes unless other problems are discovered.
It is relatively inexpensive, but varies depending on services industry guidelines suggest that, unless the air-con is faulty, servicing should happen every 18-24 months.
To keep yourself and any passengers cool on the hottest days of the year, remember to book an automotive air conditioning service soon.

What are the signs that my car AC is going out?

Your vehicle AC doesn’t cool your cabin as effectively as it used to – If warm air from your vents (or no air at all) is your first sign of AC trouble, the culprit may be a minor problem, like low coolant or a clogged vent. You could also have a broken fan.
Your AC makes unfamiliar sounds – What you hear rattling around in your car’s climate control system could also be a minor problem, like debris ingested from outside. It could also be a broken part anywhere in the system. (Remember: any new sound from your vehicle should be checked by a qualified mechanic.)
Your vehicle cabin smells bad – Mold in your car AC system – a respiratory health hazard – can generate a funky smell. New odors from your vehicle also need immediate attention. They signal simple problems like an overdue air filter replacement and significant safety hazards like Exhaust Leaks.
Coolant stains under your vehicle – Car AC coolant has a sweet smell and a texture that people describe as greasy, filmy, or slimy. (Another reminder: any fluid under your car besides water should be checked by a mechanic.)
Water leaking into your vehicle – A healthy AC system will drain water outside your vehicle. But a clog in your water line can cause water to back up in other places, like your floor mats.

Drop by today and book your appointment to get your automotive Air Conditioning service 

It is quick and more effective than opening a window, you might even say it’s a breeze!