Tips: Air
Conditioning
Saving Money With Regular Car Air Conditioning Servicing
More than 90% of new cars sold this year had
air conditioning systems fitted as standard. If you are the owner
of such a vehicle you will appreciate the value of air conditioning.
The system cools the passenger cabin during warm weather and assists
the demister in winter by removing excess moisture in damp conditions.
Whilst the modern automotive A/C system is both
efficient and reliable, it is a mainly mechanical system which
requires periodical servicing and maintenance
in order to maintain its performance. Almost without exception,
vehicle manufacturers now recommend an annual
service to maintain the efficiency of the system and ensure
the reliable running of the vehicle.
Most car owners, and indeed, many other service
centres, do not appreciate that if an A/C system is not correctly
maintained by suitably trained and equipped technicians on a regular
basis, there is a risk of system damage or even a complete vehicle
breakdown. This is possible because most A/C equipped vehicles
use a common drive belt to power the A/C compressor. If an A/C
compressor seizes due to lack of maintenance, the subsequent drive
belt failure will stop the vehicle.
Important safety warning
Please note that all A/C systems contain potentially
harmful CFC or HFC gases under very high pressures. Exposure to
the refrigerant can cause cold burns and blindness. Additionally,
deliberate release of the refrigerant is a criminal offence with
penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment with an unlimited fine.
The only safe way to maintain your system is through an annual
service by a qualified A/C technician using specialised equipment.
Whatever you do, don’t attempt to service or maintain your
own A/C system.
Our workshops are fully equipped with the very latest state of
the art A/C servicing equipment and our technicians have undergone
extensive specialised training. You can be rest assured that we
offer an efficient, economical and environmentally safe service
of your A/C system.
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Questions and Answers
Q: How often should a car air
conditioning system be serviced?
A: Annually. As part of a vehicle's
annual service routine, its air conditioning system should be
inspected.
Q: What happens if a system is
not regularly serviced?
A: If an aircon system is not
serviced, a build-up of moisture will occur. The built-in filter
(receiver-drier or accumulator), is designed to store any moisture
and contamination present in the system. If the filter is not
changed then its element will eventually break down and cause
internal damage to the air conditioning system.
Q: Why can I smell a ‘musty’
smell inside the car when I turn on the aircon?
A: This is due to the build-up
of mould and microbes on the evaporator. It can be cured with
a microbiological treatment of the evaporator unit during the
annual health check.
Q: Is there anything I can do
to keep the aircon working?
A: On a modern vehicle, the best
advice is to run the aircon continuously. Modern systems are
efficient and will not add greatly to the fuel consumption.
Continuous running ensures that the refrigerant and oil are
circulated throughout the system, keeping the seals lubricated
and preventing microbe build-up on the evaporator.
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