How to keep your air conditioning running smoothly
It's summer! Sandy beaches, water warm to the touch and beautiful sunsets highlight one of our favorite seasons. It also means extreme heat and humidity is here as well, which can be challenging if your vehicle’s air conditioning system is not in optimal working order.
Neglecting essential and regular upkeep on your vehicle’s air conditioning system can lead to uncomfortable drives, costly repairs and unnecessary wear and tear. At the HendrickCars.com blog, we wanted to offer insight into keeping your system running free and clear.
Understanding Your System
Prior to talking about maintenance, it may be helpful to understand how air conditioning works. Like most complex systems, if a key component falters, it can throw the entire process into chaos. But what are those key components? Let’s take a look:
Compressor: A functioning compressor is critical to the operation of your unit, keeping your condenser from overheating or malfunctioning, and pumping refrigerant throughout the entire unit.
Condenser: Traditionally, the condenser unit is the most exposed portion of any A/C setup, as its placed between a vehicle’s grill and radiator. The condenser sheds heat from the gaseous refrigerant by returning it to a liquid state, which in turn flows to the evaporator inside the dashboard, cooling the vehicle.
Evaporator: Converts liquid back to gas, absorbing heat and cooling the air. Your AV evaporator is similar to the condenser, in a much-smaller package. With its tube and fin design, the evaporator core is one of the two heat exchangers present inside a mobile A/C unit. In some cases, larger vehicles require an additional evaporator.
Expansion Valve: The expansion valve controls the drop in pressure, which is a key component in regulating the A/C system's evaporation rate. The valve is also important in controlling the flow rate and the amount of fluid in the evaporator.
Refrigerant: The fluid circulates through the system, changing from liquid to gas and back, transferring heat from inside the car to the outside.
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Essential Maintenance
Staying ahead of the game is important when it comes to your air conditioning system. Below are a few tips to ensure your system is running optimally.
Regular Inspections: We would encourage you to schedule a visit with a Hendrick Automotive Group service center and have a professional inspection of your A/C completed. A good rule of thumb is to identify a date at the beginning or end of the summer season to have it checked. Service technicians need to investigate for any signs of wear and tear on the hoses and belts, while also looking for any leaks or cracks. Any wear of this type can significantly affect the efficiency of your A/C.
Maintain Refrigerant Levels: Low refrigerant levels can lead to poor cooling performance or worse, damage to your compressor. One telltale sign is air circulating inside your vehicle isn’t as cold as it was previously; signaling that your refrigerant needs a re-charge. Unless trained in this area, we highly suggest that a professional handle this safely and correctly.
Condenser Maintenance: Exposed to the outside elements, debris, dirt, leaves and a variety of other obstacles can clog your condenser. A blocked condenser reduces your A/C’s ability to cool the air. Regular inspections ensure cleanliness, as does using a stream of water to remove any build-up.
Regular Usage: An underrated part of A/C maintenance is regular usage. Even during the colder months, run your vehicle’s system for a few minutes every week. This keeps it lubricated and prevents seals from drying and cracking.
There is Something Strange in Your A/C’s Neighborhood: Are there unusual noises coming from your vehicle’s A/C when it’s running? Maybe a rattle or banging sound. While possible that a slimy Class 5 free repeater has taken over your system, it is more likely that trouble is brewing with your compressor or other critical components.
Additionally, foul odors coming from the vents may suggest a leftover ghost trap needs attending, or that mold and bacteria have built up in the system. A good A/C cleaner spray can help eliminate these odors and improve air quality, while you may need to get in contact with the Spengler family to alleviate the former.
If you plan to call somebody for your A/C’s strange behavior, try one of our Hendrick Automotive Group service centers. They are ready to believe you.
Air Filter Replacement: Much like the filters in your home’s air conditioning system, your vehicle has one too. While you want to change your in-house filter on a monthly basis, it is important to replace the one in your vehicle every 12,000 miles. There is an asterisk here, however, as filters can become clogged more frequently if you travel dirt and gravel roads as part of your regular driving routine.
It is also a good idea to have your filter checked before a long road trip, as a compromised filter can affect fuel mileage and overall efficiency.
Vehicle Protection: It is not always possible for everyone, but whenever you can, storing your vehicle in an enclosed area during the harshest weather months is a good idea. If access is difficult, invest in a basic sunshade to keep the interior of your vehicle from overheating. Extreme heat can lead to cosmetic damage to your paint, exterior trim and key components of your interior, as well as forcing your air conditioning to work harder when first activating for your next trip. The excess usage can lead to more trouble down the road.
Professional Maintenance: Your air conditioning system is a complicated unit and there are aspects of maintenance – such as checking for leaks and specialized componentry replacement – that need to be left to trained and certified service technicians. Regular reviews at your dealership service center can identify and fix trouble spots before they become major problems.
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Benefits of Regular Maintenance
There are a number of benefits to regular A/C maintenance. Along with extending the life of your vehicle’s A/C system and keeping you and your passengers more comfortable, an efficient system will contribute to better fuel economy for your vehicle.
It is also important to note that spending on preventative maintenance will be much cheaper in the end, as opposed to a major service once your system goes out because of age or neglect. Not to mention the costly nature of an entire system replacement due to complete failure.
By following the aforementioned maintenance tips and scheduling regular service visits, you can keep your A/C running smoothly and avoid unexpected breakdowns. So, before you hit the road this summer, make sure your vehicle’s air conditioning system is in tip-top shape. You’ll be thankful during these humid, hot months ahead.
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Speaking of summer, the Hendrick Summer Sales Event is underway. Shop our nationwide inventory of new, certified and pre-owned cars, trucks and SUVs available throughout the United States. The sales event includes a customer option to defer payments for 90 days! For more information on the sale, scroll down to the rules at the bottom of the page.
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