How to take care of the air conditioner in the car?
The vast majority of new cars that hit our roads today are equipped with air conditioning. Despite its popularity, many drivers still do not use it properly. So what do you need to remember when using an air-conditioned car?
Until about a dozen years ago, this device was offered only in luxury cars. However, now even the smallest A-segment models are equipped with the popular "air conditioning" as standard or at an additional cost. Its task is to supply cool air to the cabin, as well as drain it. Cooling helps stabilize the temperature inside, while drying reduces evaporation through windows when it's humid outside (such as during rain or fog).
“It is for these reasons that air conditioning can be used at any time, regardless of season and conditions, and not just in summer,” explains Zenon Rudak from Hella Polska. Many drivers refer to the air conditioner only as a device for cooling the passenger compartment while driving on hot days. Meanwhile, a long idle time of the system contributes to its faster wear.
More frequent use of this device prevents jamming of the most expensive unit of the air conditioner - the compressor. – When the air conditioning system is not operated for a long time, the oil circulating with the coolant is deposited in its parts. After restarting the air conditioner, the compressor runs with insufficient lubrication for the time it takes for the oil to dissolve. Therefore, a break in the operation of the air conditioner should not last more than a week, even in winter, Rudak notes.
In turn, in the summer period, you should remember a few more rules that can definitely increase your comfort while traveling. – When the car is warm in the sun, open the windows and ventilate the interior, then turn on the air conditioner and use the internal circulation to quickly cool the interior. If the temperature stabilizes, open the air supply from outside. Although it seems obvious, we use air conditioning with the windows closed. This device works with the heating system, which means that if the car is too cold when the air conditioner is on, then the interior needs to be properly “warmed up” without turning it off. Likewise, the fan speed should be set as needed. We do not send air from the air conditioning system directly to ourselves and passengers, so as not to feel drafts and cold air currents. In order for the air conditioner to provide proper comfort, the interior must be cooled by a maximum of 5-8 degrees below the outside temperature, explains the Hella Polska expert.
Also, do not forget to take drinks with you before the trip, preferably non-carbonated. The air conditioner dries the air, which after a dozen minutes can lead to increased thirst.
In order to enjoy a working air conditioning system for as long as possible, the car owner should not forget about the maintenance of the device. Such systems must be checked by a specialist workshop at least once a year. However, if we feel that foul-smelling air is coming out of the vents, we should go to it earlier. This service includes checking the tightness of the system, drying it, topping up the required amount of the working medium, as well as cleaning the air flow path from fungi and bacteria. “The service life of the air conditioner will also be extended by replacing cabin filters,” adds Rudak.
