How to prepare your car’s air con for summer

Tuesday 20th May 2025

How should you prepare your car's air con for the warmer weather?

We all know the British weather is unpredictable, so it’s always wise to be ready for every scenario – whether that’s keeping an umbrella in the boot or opting for some all-season tyres. One thing we can guarantee is when we do get heatwaves, they can be brutal, especially without air con. That’s why we’ve put together our 5 top tips to make sure you aren’t left melting in the heat this summer. 

1. Test your air con out before you actually need it  

If you’re reading this after your air con has already given up – we’re sorry to hear it! But our number one tip is to use your air con all year round. That’s not to say you need to have your air conditioning blasting cold air every time you drive, but it can be useful when you need to clear fog or condensation from your windows in the winter. Plus, frequent use will help keep your system in good shape.

By using your air con every now and then, you’ll: 

• keep the air moving through the system, helping to prevent mould or bacteria from building up and banishing musty smells 

• avoid clogs of dirt that can reduce how effectively your air conditioning cools the inside of the car 

2. Clean or replace your pollen filter 

If your air conditioning isn’t blowing as powerfully as it should, your pollen filter could have something to do with it. Every time you drive, contaminants like dirt, brake dust and pollen get drawn into the system. The pollen filter’s job is to trap these nasties and prevent them from circulating around the inside of your car through the vents. 

The pollen filter is usually located behind the glove box, although we recommend checking your vehicle handbook to confirm. A quick dust down can sometimes help extend its life. Although, it’s a good idea to replace the filter at least once a year, or potentially even more often depending on if you drive in dusty or high pollen areas, to prevent blockages. 

Here at Formula One Autocentres, we’ll let you know if your pollen filter needs replacing as part of our thorough full service checks. 

3. Use recirculation mode 

Most car air conditioning systems give you a choice between several different modes, rather than just ‘on’ or ‘off’. Using recirculation mode is usually the fastest way of cooling down your car, as it uses the air that’s already in your car, rather than air from outside. Recirculation mode can also reduce the amount of strain on the system once your car’s reached the optimal temperature, as the air cycling through it will already be cold. It’s important to bear in mind that if you use recirculation mode all the time, the air can potentially lose its freshness and start to smell stale. 

4. Book an air con re-gas 

Every year, your car’s air conditioning system will lose some of its refrigerant, especially if you don’t use it in the winter months. This is because, despite being a closed-loop system, the seals can dry out, shrink, and leak over time. As the system loses refrigerant, it struggles to maintain a nice cool temperature and, in the worst-case scenario, can fail to work at all. To keep your air conditioning reliable, we recommend booking in an air con re-gas at least once every two years due to the natural loss of air conditioning refrigerant – even if you’re not experiencing any issues. 

5. Book an air con clean 

Over time, a lot of debris can build up in your air conditioning system which causes a musty smell and reduced cooling action. A dirty air con system not only circulates bad smells but also pollen, dust, and other allergens. By booking an air con clean before the start of the summer season, you’ll be getting rid of any harmful buildup before it has a chance to turn into mould. 

Stay cool and breathe easy with Formula One Autocentres 

Beat the heat by booking your air con clean and re-gas ready for summer with Formula One Autocentres. Book your air con re-gas and clean together and save £9! Find your nearest Formula One Autocentre, and rely on us to keep your air con in tip-top condition all year round.