Maintaining Your Car’s Air Conditioning

A valuable piece of kit for the warm weather, air con is used frequently in the summer but often neglected for the rest of the year. Over the years, your car’s air conditioning system can get run down and not perform as well as it should.

To prevent this, we’ve put together some easy tips to help you keep your air con running as smoothly as possible. Read on to find out more.

1. Recharge Your Air Con System

Every two years, your air con system should be recharged to clear out any debris and ensure all its components are working properly. Since air con checks are not typically included as part of your MOT, problems with your AC can go undetected and cause issues further down the line.

If your air con is blowing out hot air, it’s probably time for a recharge. You can book a recharge at your local Kwik Fit centre today.

2. Test Run the Air Con Regularly

Many people fail to use their air con at all over the cooler, winter months. During long periods of disuse, your air con gas pressure can drop and cause the compressor to weaken in performance.

To remedy this, simply run your air con weekly for about 10 minutes at the highest fan speed and the coolest setting. Giving it a blast like this will also clear out any dust and dirt.

3. Use Your Air Con in Winter

Similarly, your air con can and should be used in the winter time. While most drivers think their car’s air con is purely to cool the air inside the cabin, it also reduces cabin humidity too.

On particularly cold and frosty mornings, your air conditioner can come in handy to help clear fog and ice from your windscreen by reducing the humidity levels in the vehicle. This little-known trick can save you a lot of time and energy.

4. Change the Cabin Filter Regularly

It is recommended that the cabin filter is changed every 30,000 miles to remove the natural build-up of dust and debris in your car’s air con filter. Failure to do so may lead to the emission of foul odours from your vents as mildew gathers there.

To keep things extra fresh, this process can be combined with an anti-bacterial clean to improve the quality of air circulating around your car’s cabin. While you can do this yourself, it can be a tricky process and is therefore best to seek professional help from your local Kwik Fit centre.

5. Keep Your Car’s Interior Clean

While it may sound obvious, keeping the interior of your car clean is a surefire way to improve the quality of your air conditioning.

The less dust and dirt in the cabin of your vehicle, the better quality your air conditioning will be. Giving the vents a thorough wipe down and perhaps investing in an antibacterial spray might seem simple but can make a world of difference. If you notice any foul odours coming from your vents, book an air con debug with us for a more rigorous clean.

6. Get an Air Conditioning Service

Undoubtedly, though, the most effective way to maintain your car’s air con is to get it serviced regularly. Let us do the dirty work, identifying any problems and recharging your air con system while you wait. A recharge includes a removal of any old refrigerant gas and oil and a replacement (including lubricant) that adheres to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation.

What’s more, a vacuum test is performed to ensure there are no leaks in your air con system. If you think your air con could benefit from a service, make an appointment online with your nearest Kwik Fit centre, or, book a free air con performance check with us to identify any serious problems immediately.

Make sure you take good care of your air con system so that it can keep you cooler when you need it most. Contact your local centre with any questions you may have regarding your air con system today – we’d be happy to help.