How to prepare the air conditioner for the summer season?

About a dozen years ago, air conditioning in cars was a luxury that not everyone could afford. Today it is undoubtedly one of the most important elements affecting the comfort of the driver and passengers in the summer. For the cab air cooling system to work effectively in hot weather, it should be used all year round and all components should be checked periodically. We suggest what steps should be taken to prepare the air conditioner for the summer season.

What will you learn from this post?

• How to check if the air conditioner is working properly?
• What are the most common causes of failure of the air conditioning system?
• How to deal with car air conditioner breakdown symptoms?

Shortly speaking

The air conditioning system, like any component in a car, requires the owner to regularly check its operation. Therefore, at least once a year, you should top up the coolant level, check the tightness of all pipes, replace the cabin filter, dry the entire ventilation system and remove the fungus. You can carry out an inspection of the air conditioner yourself or entrust it to a professional car service specialist.

What to look for when preparing an air conditioner for the season?

Ahead of summer and the first hot days. Spring is the perfect time to take a thorough look at your car's air conditioning system, especially if you rarely or never use it during the fall and winter. It may turn out that the interior cooling system is not XNUMX% efficient and needs to be cleaned or repaired. You can order air conditioning service from a specialist or, if you have sufficient knowledge, do it yourself.

When to start?

The quickest way to check if the air conditioner in your car is working properly is to start it. Turn on the fan, set it to the lowest temperature and leave the car idling. After a few minutes, check with a regular thermometer that the air in the cabin 10-15 degrees Celsius colder than outside the car... If not, the air conditioner probably needs cleaning or even maintenance. Also pay attention to the smell from the fans (it should be neutral) and the noise of the supply air. Check every unevenness carefully. Here is a checklist of steps to help you get your air conditioning system back up and running.

Topping up coolant

The refrigerant is an element without which the air conditioner would not be able to cope. It is he who provides the process of lowering the temperature, cleaning and dehumidifying the air inside the cabin. During cooling, the substance is gradually consumed. On an annual scale, volume reduced by 10-15%Therefore, during the review, it should be supplemented, or, in common parlance, "filled". When you notice a much greater loss of coolant, be sure to check the hoses for leaks!

Checking the tightness of the lines in the air conditioning system

Leaks in the vehicle air conditioning system lead to leakage of refrigerant and compressor oil. Low levels can lead to compressor seizure or destruction of the dryer, which in turn can cause the air conditioner is off or does not work properly. Therefore, it is worth checking the condition of the cables regularly in order to be able to respond in time to any serious malfunctions. Detecting leaks in the air conditioning system is not the easiest thing, so it is best to entrust them to the specialists of a professional car service. If you want to determine the source of the malfunction yourself, soap suds, a UV lamp or a leak detector will help you.

Replacing the cabin filter

A cabin filter, also known as a pollen filter, effectively traps any airborne pollutants such as pollen, dust and mites that are sucked into the passenger compartment. A blockage or complete blockage stops filtration and significantly reduces breathing comfort while driving. This is especially true harmful to allergy sufferers and people struggling with upper respiratory tract problems. If there is an activated carbon additive in the filter, this will also prevent the ingress of exhaust gases and unpleasant odors from the outside into the car. Therefore, be sure to change the cabin air filter at least once a year or every 15-20 thousand kilometers.

Drying and fumigation of the air conditioning system

In addition to cooling, the air conditioner is also responsible for drying the passenger compartment by absorbing moisture from the inside. However, in this case, water particles settle on the components of the cooling system, creating in their nooks and crannies. ideal breeding ground for bacteria, fungi and mold... Their presence in the ventilation system primarily causes an unpleasant odor, and inhalation of such air is harmful to health.

The air conditioner should be disinfected at least once a year, preferably in the spring, because a large amount of moisture in the autumn-winter period also causes the development of microorganisms in evaporator and tubes. There are three effective methods for cleaning the cooling system: foam, ozone and ultrasonic. A detailed description of them can be found in our article: Three methods for cleaning the air conditioner - do it yourself!

Regular checking of the air conditioner is mandatory!

The air conditioning system is quite complex, therefore it is recommended to check its condition with services that specialize in this type of treatment at least once a year. Experienced mechanics in their workshops have the technology to help them efficiently diagnose the source of the problem by reading driver errors stored in the system and checking the technical condition of all components... With advanced devices, technicians can quickly restore the full efficiency of the cooling system.

Check the air conditioner in your car regularly and do not ignore any signs that may indicate any malfunction of the air conditioner system. Also read our 5 Symptoms When You Know Your Air Conditioner Is Not Working Properly To Know What To Look For.

In the online store avtotachki.com you will find proven elements of the interior cooling system at affordable prices and tools that will allow you to clean and refresh the air conditioner yourself.

Also check:

The heat is coming! How to check if the air conditioner is working properly in the car?

How do I care for my air conditioner?

How to clean the air conditioner in the car yourself?

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