Tips To Prepare Your Car Air Con For Summer

Over the cooler months and even into early spring, it’s easy to forget just how much we rely on our auto air conditioning during the hot Australian summer. Whether you’re driving to a far-flung holiday destination or commuting to work in the city, the heat can be merciless, and reliable climate control is a must for travelling in comfort.

While it may not be sweltering hot just yet, you’ll soon be putting your air con through its paces on a regular basis. For this reason, Spring is an ideal time to make sure your cooling system is ready to tackle the heat. Here are our top tips for pre-summer car air con maintenance.

1. Check for problems

Unless you live in the tropics, it’s likely that your car air con hasn’t had much of a workout over Winter. You may have turned it on a few times over the course of the season to demist your windscreen; this is a good thing to do as it keeps the system’s moving parts happy. 

In any case, you’ll want to try running your air con while you’re driving – before the inevitable heat wave hits. Check that the unit is blowing cold air effectively, looking out for signs that the system is struggling, such as rattling noises or musty smells. 

These usually point to a problem could result in a system breakdown. Another sign of trouble is a sudden drain on your fuel economy when you use your air conditioner.  

2. Get a regas

Your car’s air conditioner is a complex system that requires ongoing maintenance, and a key part of this is topping up the refrigerant gas. A car air con regas is a relatively quick and easy procedure for most auto technicians. You should have it done every 1-2 years at minimum.

Keep in mind that any sudden, unexplained decline in performance usually points to a problem that requires more in-depth attention than simply topping up the gas. For example, the system’s pipes can become cracked over time, leading to leaks that cause the refrigerant to escape much faster than it should. 

3. Book a service

Even if you have a regularly scheduled general service, these generally don’t cover your air con system, so it’s a good idea to book in a car air conditioning service as well. Regas time is a good reminder to get an air con service, as you can have them both done together. 

Servicing is important for preserving the life of your car’s air con. It’s the best thing you can do to ensure you can rely on it to perform at its best when the heat kicks in. It will also keep it running efficiently, meaning less money wasted on excess fuel. 

Ready for summer?

To find out more about preparing your car’s air con for summer, speak to the team at Great Lakes Auto Centre today. Give us a call on (02) 6590 1375, or fill out the contact form below.

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