Air conditioning in the car
When buying a new car, more and more often we decide to use air conditioning. In the list of the most desirable accessories, this piece of equipment, especially useful in summer, loses only to the ABS system and gas cushions.
Increasingly, air conditioning is installed in small cars, and in D-segment and larger cars, it is actually the standard. Manufacturers are ahead of each other, offering new limited editions, often equipped with air conditioning. When we consider buying an air-conditioned car, it is worth comparing the offers of several dealers, including other brands. If we're lucky, we can get air conditioning for free or with a small surcharge. If we do not "catch" the action, you will have to take into account the cost of PLN 2500-6000.
The cooler is not only comfort in hot weather, the air conditioner has an impact on safety - at 35 degrees, the driver's concentration is clearly weaker than, for example, at 22 degrees. The risk of an accident increases by a third in a car without air conditioning.
Cheaper cars most often use manual air conditioning, while more expensive cars use automatic air conditioning. Automatic two-zone air conditioning is becoming more popular - then the passenger and driver can set different temperatures.
If we already have air conditioning in the car, use it in moderation. If the temperature outside is tropical (for example, 35 degrees C), set the air conditioner not to maximum cooling, but, for example, to 25 degrees C. If the car has been in the sun for a long time, first ventilate the interior, and then turn on the air conditioner. It is worth knowing that the cooling of the interior will be faster if you close the air circulation along with the air conditioner.
Required Checks
In hot weather, most drivers dream of air conditioning. If our car is equipped with it, remember about inspection.
An annual check is necessary for the perfect operation of the device. The most important and expensive element of the air conditioning system is the compressor. So make sure it's properly lubricated. Since it operates under very severe conditions, any oil leakage causes accelerated wear of the compressor components. As a rule, they cannot be repaired and a replacement becomes necessary, the cost of which often exceeds PLN 2.
During the inspection, they also check the level of the coolant (usually freon), the tightness of the entire system and the temperature of the cooled air. The cost of technical inspection in most cars does not exceed PLN 80-200. If we do not want large expenses (for example, for a compressor), it is worth spending this amount once a year. During the inspection, it is worth checking the condition of the air filter entering the cabin, and if necessary, replace it.
After the summer season, we often forget about air conditioners. And this is a mistake, even in winter you have to turn on the device from time to time, so that it will work longer without failures. In addition, turning on the air conditioner helps, for example, to dry misted windows.
