Don’t get stuck in a sweltering car: how to avoid needing to repair your auto air conditioning this summer

You may be harming your auto air conditioning system during the winter

Your auto air conditioning requires maintenance and proper operation – there is no way around this fact, whether you have a luxury car or a truck. However, many people, especially during the winter, tend to neglect their air conditioning systems.

This neglect is unknowing but still damaging. As the winters in Sydney are quite cold, there’s little need for air conditioning from May/June to September/October. Most Australians do the eco-friendly act of completely turning off their air conditioning during the winter, leaving it unused for months.

This lack of usage causes the physical part of your air conditioning system to slowly waste away and can also lead to refrigerant loss once the system is used again in the spring after a long period of stagnancy.  Not using your air conditioning system during the winter can also allow problems to go undetected and deteriorate until you start using the system again.

What does this mean? Your system will show signs of deterioration and need a repair just in time for summer.

What signs might you notice?

Before we discuss how you can avoid needing to repair your auto air conditioning system this summer, we think it’s important that you’re aware of the signs that your system will display if there’s something wrong.

Of course, there’s the most obvious sign – refusal to cool or turn on – however, there are more minor and less obvious signs that you should be aware of. Knowing what these signs are is the first step in preventing your system from irreparably deteriorating. Many times, if you catch the malfunction early enough, you can avoid permanent damage and high costs.

Here are some of the most common signs to look out for:

• Leaking inside of your car
• Loud, sudden and unusual noises
• Inconsistent cooling
• Bad odour
• High humidity in your car

Let’s now take a look at how you can avoid these signs in the first place

1 When you’re not using your auto air conditioning, run it for about 10 to 30 minutes every week

If you plan on not using your air conditioning during the summer, or at all, then do yourself a favour and run it every week. Turn the setting to its coldest and the fan speed to its highest and run the system for at least 10 minutes (some recommend 30 minutes) every week,

This will maintain gas pressure which keeps the compressor working properly. The compressor is the first step in cooling the air for your system, so it’s critical that you protect this.

2 Run defrost mode a few times

This is specifically helpful for avoiding bad odours emanating from your system. Running defrost mode for 10 minutes can prevent mildew and clean out excess moisture. These elements don’t just cause the air in your system to smell, but they can be potentially harmful to your and your passengers’ health.

3 Recharge your refrigerant

If you haven’t touched your air conditioning for weeks throughout the system, it’s highly likely that you’re low on refrigerant. Refrigerant helps your system to cool. If there isn’t enough refrigerant, your system will work too hard to produce cool air and will start delivering warm air and eventually malfunction.

To avoid being stuck in a warm car with warm air on a warm day, check your refrigerant levels before you start your system.

4 Don’t use your air conditioning with the windows down

Using your air conditioning system with the windows down will cause your system to work too hard to keep cooling the interior of your car. This will overwork your system and cause it to overheat and randomly malfunction.

5 Ensure you carry your car for regular maintenance

Regular maintenance is the key to finding latent issues in your air conditioning system. Our auto electricians will be able to recharge your refrigerant and take care of any looming issues, ensuring you have a cool car for a hot summer.

At Electroworx, we work with you to avoid problems with your car and to speedily but thoroughly fix any present issues. If your auto air conditioning system requires maintenance or needs a repair, our knowledgeable team will be able to service your car, regardless of the model.

To make a booking, call us on 1300 824 692.