How to maintain car air conditioning

Monday 12th December 2022

How to maintain car air conditioning?

Now summer is over and the colder weather is creeping in, it’s time to give your air-conditioning some TLC. Whether you exhausted your air-conditioning during the heatwave and want to keep it running smoothly, or simply want some tips on how to maintain your AC – our air-conditioning guide has you covered all year round.

How does air conditioning work?

Air conditioning, as the name suggests, conditions the air in a vehicle. This is done through a system, which works through vents and nozzles to circulate air around your vehicle. The key principles for car air conditioning are condensation and evaporation – removing the existing moisture and heat that’s already in the vehicle and replacing this with cooler air. This improves visibility as well as altering the temperature in the car by reducing the humidity content.

Car air conditioning maintenance tips

Here are some simple car air conditioning maintenance tips to ensure your get the most out of your AC and keep it running as effectively as possible:

Run your air con weekly – running your air conditioning for 10 minutes on the coolest setting weekly helps to keep your compressor running well, maintains gas pressure and cleans out moisture to prevent moldmould

Keep windows shut – opening the windows when the air conditioning is on prevents it from operating efficiently. This forces the air conditioning system to work harder which means you may use up coolant and fuel more quickly, not only impacting the air conditioning system but also costing you more in the long run
Clean regularly – check your filter often and clean or replace it when necessary to prevent improper airflow
Shut off your air conditioning correctly – most people tend to switch off the engine first, without turning off the aircon. This means the fan keeps running which can lead to moss and bacteria building up. Ensuring you turn off your air conditioning system before you turn the engine off will help keep the air fresh and free from bacteria or bad smells, ensuring your air conditioning system lasts for longer
Follow the service schedule – it is recommended you follow the advice stated in your car’s handbook or manual to ensure that all necessary services are carried out on the air conditioning system on time, to help to maintain its performance?and keep it running effectively
Recharge – most cars air conditioning coolant has a recommended recharge time. It is recommended to recharge often by topping up the coolant as per possibly your vehicle’s service manual or handbook