A properly working air conditioner is crucial for a cooler and more comfortable driving experience. Your car’s AC also cleans the air and regulates humidity. So, it is important that your car’s AC is always working at its peak efficiency. To ensure this, you need to take some simple steps for your AC’s care and maintenance.
Tips To maintain car’s air conditioning
Maintain cleanliness inside the car
Dirt and moisture can play with your car’s air conditioning system. To prevent dust from ruining your car’s AC, you should vacuum and clean your car’s seats, mats, and carpets regularly.
Replace the air filter regularly
A clogged air filter is a common cause of many AC problems. The cabin air filters block out the dust particles and other pollutants that come from outside. Over time, the air filters may become clogged with dust and other particles. This will not only affect cooling but also the humidity levels. The air filter will also start harboring bacteria and other germs. So, it is important to change the cabin air filters at regular intervals.
Clean the radiator regularly
If your car’s engine is overheating, it can impact air conditioning because the AC condenser is located right in front of the engine’s radiator. When the radiator is overheating, the heat may get transferred to the condenser. This can impact the cooling inside your car. It is recommended that the radiator is cleaned at regular intervals to avoid such issues.
Do not ignore any unusual sounds
If you can hear any strange and unusual sounds coming from your car’s compressor, you must never ignore them. These noises could be a result of loose mounting bolts, problems with the drive belt, wearing of the belt, and several other reasons. These problems are serious and should be addressed immediately.
Avoid pre-cooling your car.
On very hot days, you may be tempted to pre-cool your car before you start driving. However, it is important to note that the air conditioner works at maximum efficiency when the vehicle is being driven. If it is too hot, you should put the fan on high and open the windows for a few seconds to let out the hot air.
Check the condition of the drive belt and hose
The engine drives the compressor of the air conditioner through a drive belt. If the drive belt is not working properly due to improper lubrication, the air conditioner will not work efficiently. Keep a check on the drive belt and hoses of the air conditioner system and ensure they work optimally.
Park in the shade and ventilate your car
A simple thing you can do to avoid overheating your cabin is to park it in the shade whenever possible. Overheating can cause the air conditioner to work harder, and in worse cases, it can damage the engine. Parking the car in the shade makes it easier to achieve the optimal temperature. Another thing you can do is to leave the doors and windows open and let the car run idle for a few seconds.
Preventive maintenance
Regular preventive maintenance of the vehicle is the most important thing you can do to ensure that it works at its peak efficiency. The professionals can identify any potential issues that can turn into something serious and cause the air conditioner or your vehicle to break down.
If you are facing any issues with your car’s air conditioning system, let us have a look at it. We can diagnose the exact problem and recommend the right course of action.