Air conditioning in the car. How to take care of it in summer?
The vast majority of drivers cannot imagine a car trip without an efficient air conditioning system. However, not everyone knows how to properly care for and maintain it.
Properly used car air conditioning increases not only the comfort but also the safety of driving. According to Danish scientists, a driver with a car temperature of 21 degrees Celsius has 22% faster reaction time on the road than if the temperature was 27 degrees Celsius*. Thanks to cooler air, drivers are also more focused and less tired. Therefore, air conditioning should be given due attention before going on vacation.
The principles of operation of an automobile air conditioner.
The air conditioning system works on the same principles as ... a refrigerator. It consists of components such as compressor, evaporator and condenser. When the air conditioner is turned on, the refrigerant circulating in a closed circuit is forced into the compressor. It increases the pressure of the medium, which also increases its temperature. The medium is then transported to a tank. In this process, it is cleaned and dried. It then reaches the condenser, which changes its state from gaseous to liquid. The process ends in the evaporator, where expansion takes place, leading to a sharp drop in temperature. This allows cool air to enter the vehicle interior. Of course, cold air passes through special filters, the purpose of which is to remove germs from it.
How to prevent the car from overheating and what to do before getting into it?
In order to avoid overheating of the car interior when parking, it is worth choosing places with a shadow at noon. Also, the driver can buy a special heat-reflecting mat. Placing it on the windshield will prevent sunlight from entering the car. Interestingly, the absorption of sunlight is also affected by ... the color of the car. The darker the color of the car, the faster its interior heats up. The temperature inside a car exposed to sunlight can reach 60 degrees Celsius. Therefore, drivers who leave their car in the sun on a hot day are advised to ventilate the vehicle first, then turn on the air conditioner and gradually lower the temperature. Thanks to this, they do not expose themselves to thermal shock, which can occur if the temperature changes too quickly.
Proper use of the air conditioner
Too much difference between the temperature inside the car and outside can lead to unnecessary illness or infection. The most suitable temperature for the driver is between 20-24 degrees Celsius. Drivers should also take care to gradually increase the temperature on the way to their destination so as not to cause unnecessary heat stress to the body. It is also important to correctly set the direction and power of the vents. To prevent inflammation of the muscles and joints, and even paralysis, do not direct the jet of cold air directly on parts of the body. They must be installed in such a way that the cooler air is vented to the windows and ceiling of the vehicle.
Service is the foundation
Signs of a faulty air conditioner are, for example, its low efficiency, fogging of the windows, increased noise from air blows, excessive fuel consumption or an unpleasant smell coming from the deflectors when it is turned on. These are very clear signals that should not be ignored as they can be important to the health and safety of the driver. When they appear, visit a service center where the air conditioner will be inspected. In this case, the specialist must check the amount of coolant in the air conditioning system, clean the air supply channels to the car interior, clean the air intakes, replace the cabin filter and fill the air conditioning system with new coolant. In addition, it is worth using antibacterial agents and products that fight unpleasant odors.
Why do you need to service your air conditioner regularly?
Drivers should be aware that an air conditioning system loses up to 75% of its cooling capacity when it circulates half the amount of refrigerant recommended by the manufacturer. Meanwhile, according to statistics, from 10 to 15% of the refrigerant is lost from such a system during the year. Thus, within three years, these losses can be so great that the air conditioner will no longer work efficiently. The coolant is also the carrier oil that lubricates the compressor, otherwise the compressor is not properly lubricated. This can even cause the compressor to seize, which means additional, very high costs for the driver.
– A properly functioning air conditioner maintains both the right temperature inside the car and the right air quality. Regular checks and maintenance of this system do not allow the development of mold, fungi, mites, bacteria and viruses, which have an extremely negative impact on the health of everyone, especially children and allergy sufferers. Drivers should stop by the service station before summer trips and not put themselves and their fellow travelers in danger and uncomfortable driving, - comments Michal Tochovich, automotive expert of the ProfiAuto network.
* Studies conducted by the National Institute of Occupational Health, Denmark.
