It is important to stay on top of our car air conditioning service. Air conditioning in vehicles has been around since the late 1930s but still didn’t become a standard fit in European cars until the early 2000s. Now, most people cannot live without their cars air con.

When our car air conditioning system doesn’t work, it can quickly make even short drives uncomfortable. The sun is most definitely out at the moment and the current heatwaves we are experiencing are certainly no fun if you have a journey and your aircon is broken! Luckily, we can help with your air conditioning recharge or repairs to keep you comfortable all year round.

Do you want to learn more about why you should get your car’s AC system checked and serviced regularly? Keep reading to find out the benefits of an air conditioning service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Air Con Service? 

We begin a service by checking for pressure in the system. We connect our equipment, extract the gas which is measured in weight and drain the oil.

If there is gas in the system, it suggests that there are no leaks. To confirm this, we carry out a vacuum leak check before re-charging the system with the correct amount of refrigerant, adding UV dye and the correct amount of oil. The UV dye allows us to locate any future leaks and remains in the system for about 3 months.

We then carry out a function test, inspecting the high and low gas pressures and checking the operation of the A/C cooling fan. If all is functioning correctly, the air con service is complete.

If there is no gas in the system when we first test, we carry out a pressure test with an inert gas. If no pressure is lost, we gas the system as above. However, if pressure is lost, we identify the location of the leak with inert gas and the UV dye. We are then able to provide a quote for any additional repairs which may need to be carried out.

We offer a 3-month warranty with all air conditioning services.

How does Air Con Work in a vehicle?

When you switch your vehicles Air conditioning on the refrigerant travels to the condenser to cool it. Fresh air is brought over the condenser which causes the gas to drop in temperature and become a liquid.

The impurities from the liquid are removed by the receiver dryer and it then passes to the thermal expansion valve. This is how the temperature is regulated, by adjusting the flow of the liquid.

The liquid is turned into a gas as it passes through evaporation coils, and it is then blown into the vehicles cabin as cool air.

How often do I need to book an Air Conditioning Service?

Typically, vehicle manufacturers recommend getting a car air conditioner serviced once a year. But we recommend that at least every two years should suffice, as long as your A/C is still blowing cold and strong. This will maintain the system, keeping the cool air flowing and creating a much more comfortable environment in the car.

What is the Foul Odour coming from my Air Con?

If you smell a foul odour coming from your vehicles cabin, we recommend an anti-bacterial treatment and cabin filter replacement. This can be performed with or without an air conditioning service.

The cabin filter prevents dust, dirt, pollen, bacteria and exhaust gases from entering the cabin of the vehicle. It traps the contaminants, filtering the air that enters the cabin.

Often, this odour you smell is due to a build-up of mould and bacteria in the vehicle’s evaporator. The anti-bacterial treatment cleans the bacterial build up from the system allowing you to enjoy much fresher clean air.

The Top Benefits of an Air Conditioning Service:

Increased Comfort

One of the main reasons why a vehicle manufacturer recommends getting an air conditioning service is that it will increase our comfort while driving. Air conditioning which has not been regularly maintained will likely not work as well as a new system or one which has been regularly serviced.

This may result in warm air blowing from the vents and difficulty regulating the temperature in a vehicle. 

• Better Fuel Economy

The air conditioner in a vehicle can significantly impact other parts of a car’s performance, even the fuel economy. 

While using an air conditioner increases the fuel consumption in a vehicle, it typically doesn’t use much to keep your car cool. However, vehicles with poorly maintained and inefficient air conditioners will use much more fuel to keep the vehicle cool.

This can greatly impact the fuel economy and may result in wasted petrol. 

Plus, many people without a working air conditioner will open the windows while they drive. While this will keep the car cool, it will also increase the wind resistance and drag on the vehicle. 

This means that the car has to use more fuel to go the same distance. 

It is always best to follow the 45mph rule. When driving below 45mph it is generally more fuel efficient to keep your windows open and allow the breeze to cool the vehicle. Above 45mph, the drag effect of the windows creates greater resistance, and it is actually more fuel efficient to wind your windows up and turn the Air con on.

Improved Air Quality

The air conditioning system can also have an impact on the quality of air in our vehicles. This is because an air conditioner doesn’t only cool the air, but it also regulates the humidity in a vehicle.

In a cold climate the AC dehumidifies the air which assists in demisting windows. So, in the Winter months when your vehicles windscreen is fogged up, it’s much more efficient to turn the air con on to clear your windows than it is to blow warm air at them. The air conditioning removes any moisture from the air creating a non-foggy environment in a much shorter timeframe.

It is also worth noting that you should run your air con periodically throughout the year to keep the fluid flowing and the components of the system lubricated.

• Maintain Vehicle Value

Finally, having a functioning and serviced air conditioner in a vehicle can help maintain the vehicle value. In order to keep our vehicles from depreciating in value if we were to sell, we need to make sure they work as efficiently as possible. 

Maintaining the car’s air conditioner and any other system in the vehicle can help us maintain the overall value of the car and make more money if we want to sell it in the future. 

Need Help with Car Air Conditioning Service? Find a Stockport Garage

As vehicle owners, keeping our car’s air conditioner serviced is a necessary part of maintenance. Learning more about the benefits of air con services makes it easier to care for our vehicles.

If you need help with car air con servicing, John Delany Motors can help! We specialize in car air conditioning services and repair in the local area and have the expertise to repair the root problem with your air conditioner. Even other garages recommend their clients to us as we really are the local experts.

Contact us today to learn more about our air con recharge service or to get your air con checked with the Greater Manchester and Stockport leading Garage.