A Comprehensive Guide to Air Conditioning in Your Car: Everything Car Owners Need to Know

Summer can be brutal, especially when you're stuck in a hot car. Thankfully, air conditioning (AC) has become a standard feature in most cars today. However, not everyone knows how to get the most out of their air conditioning system or how to maintain it. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about air conditioning in your car, including how it works, how to get the most out of it, how to maintain it, and more.

• How does air conditioning work?
• How to get the most out of your air con
• Does air con use fuel or battery?
• Why is my air con not cold?
• How to maintain your car's air con system
• What is an air con service?
• How often does my car's air con need to be serviced?
• What is the difference between an air con cleanse and an air con service?
• Signs your car need an air con cleanse/service
• Air Conditioning Service in Chippenham

Air conditioning in your car works by using a compressor to compress refrigerant gas, which is then circulated through the system to absorb heat from the cabin. The refrigerant is then cooled by the condenser, and the process repeats.

To get the most out of your air conditioning system, follow these tips:

• Get your air conditioning serviced, or at least cleansed, every year
• Regularly clean and replace air filters to ensure proper air flow
• Set the temperature to a comfortable level, not too cold as this will use more fuel
• Use the recirculate function to cool the air inside the car faster
• Close windows, especially on hot days, to prevent hot air getting inside the car
• Park in the shade on hot days to reduce the amount of work the AC system has to do

Air conditioning in your car uses both fuel and battery power. The compressor is driven by a belt connected to the engine, which uses fuel to operate. The blower fan that circulates the cooled air uses electricity from the car's battery.

Several factors can cause your air conditioning system to blow warm air instead of cold, including low refrigerant levels, a faulty compressor, or a clogged condenser.

If you experience this issue, it's best to have a professional diagnose and repair the problem.

A full air con service will top up your refrigerant levels, and identify any leaks or faults with the system, causing it to not perform efficiently.

To maintain your air conditioning system, follow these steps:

• Regularly clean or replace your air filters to ensure proper airflow
• Have your system inspected and serviced by a professional every year or as recommended by your car manufacturer.
• Use your air conditioning system regularly, even during the winter months, to keep the system lubricated.

An air conditioning service involves a professional inspecting and testing the system for leaks, checking refrigerant levels, and cleaning the components to ensure proper airflow and function. It's recommended to have an air conditioning service annually or as recommended by your car manufacturer.

Your air conditioning system should be serviced every year as recommended by your car manufacturer.

If you use your AC heavily you may want to consider an air con cleanse in between services.

As detailed earlier in this article, an air con service tests the system for leaks, checks and tops up refrigerant levels, changes the cabin filter, and cleans the components to ensure proper airflow and function.

An air con cleanse focuses on improving the air quality by by performing an anti bacterial treatment to ensure no pollutants, pollen or dirt is being circulated inside the car. This is particularly beneficial hayfever and asthma sufferers.

If you notice any of the following signs, it's time to have your air conditioning system serviced:

• Weak or no airflow from the vents
• Unpleasant odors coming from the vents
• Warm air instead of cold air blowing from the vents
• Strange noises coming from the system

Air conditioning is an essential feature in modern cars, but it requires proper maintenance and usage to work efficiently. Follow the tips and advice in this article to get the most out of your air conditioning system and keep it running smoothly for years to come.

At Chippenham Motor Company, our qualified technicians are experts in air conditioning services. Book an Air Con Service at our Bumpers Farm or MRG, on Bath Road, dealerships.

We also offer a smaller Air Con Cleanse; an antibacterial treatment that fully cleans the system to ensure no harmful pollutants, pollen or dirt recirculates through the system. This is particularly beneficial hayfever and asthma sufferers.