Your car is available with several components that are essential for road safety and performance. Moreover, some components are important for driving comfort. Your car AC is included in the components that ensure proper driving comfort. Experienced drivers are familiar with the importance of car AC system during the summer months.
Air Conditioning Newport in a vehicle keeps the cabin cool when the temperature is at higher levels. Sometimes car AC suddenly starts to blow hot air due to mechanical faults. You have to maintain your car AC effectively to avoid such conditions.
In this handy guide, we will talk about proper car AC maintenance.
How Does Car Air Conditioning Work?
Your car air conditioning system does not have an ice machine but it depends on a specific mechanism to cool down your car's cabin. A car AC blows cool air with the help of a process that involves multiple steps.
When you use your vehicle's air conditioner, the compressor compresses the refrigerant and increases its temperature and pressure. In the next phase of the cooling process, the refrigerant loses heat while it flows through the condenser. During this process, The Dryer also plays a vital role in helping the refrigerant remove moisture and contaminants.
After this phase, the refrigerant goes into the evaporator to lose pressure and temperature. As a result, the evaporator becomes extremely cold and blows cold and dry air to cool the passenger compartment.
How Often Should You Inspect Your Car Ac?
There is no set rule for the inspection of your car's air conditioning system. If your AC is cooling the passenger compartment appropriately, you do not have the inspection of AC on your To-Do list.
On the other hand, changing the behavior of your air conditioning system should motivate you to check this vital component instantly.
When Your Car's Ac System Needs A Recharge
Nowadays, vehicles come with an extremely efficient AC system that does not need a recharge for a long time. However, the time will come when your AC shows some warning signs including refrigerant leaks, smells, and hot air coming from the vents. When you see, these red signals, you may call your mechanic to check your car's AC.
Common Parts Of Car Ac System
Common parts of a car AC system include:
Compressor:
The compressor is a primary part of a car AC system. This vital part is responsible for compressing the refrigerant to raise its pressure and temperature.
Condenser:
You will find a condenser in front of the vehicle's radiator. This component of the car AC system cools down the refrigerant. Because of this component, the refrigerant changes its start from gas to liquid.
Expansion valve:
This crucial component is responsible for the regulated flow of the refrigerant into the evaporator. The expansion valve reduces the pressure to let the refrigerant expand quickly.
Evaporator:
The evaporator cools the passenger compartment and absorbs heat with the help of liquid refrigerant.
Your car AC does not perform efficiently if any of these components do not perform their functions because of several issues.
Generally, the car AC system faces the following mechanical issues:
Compressor problems:
As a common issue, the compressor may fail to perform its common functions. This component is prone to wear and tear. Moreover, clutch issues and leakage problems may occur in this component.
Leakage problem in the refrigerant:
Sometimes, AC does not cool the car's cabin due to leakage of refrigerant. This condition may reduce the efficiency of car's AC system and cause damage in other parts.
Issues in condenser:
Debris and accidents may damage the condenser because of its presence at the front of the vehicle. Damages in the condenser may affect the overall efficiency of the car AC system.
Issues With The Blower Motor:
The blower motor blows air into the cabin. Weak airflow is a common result of problems in this part of the car AC system.
Blocked vents:
Dust and debris may block the vents to affect the airflow. Low cooling capacity of the car AC system is a common result of this fault.
Electrical problems:
Electrical issues may take place in the AC system because of blown fuses, faulty switches, and issues in the wiring.
Problems In The Evaporator:
Issues like blockage and leakage may decrease the efficiency of your car's AC system. As a result, you may observe reduced cooling in the vehicle's cabin.
As you see, there are a lot of issues that may affect the efficiency of your car AC. You can maintain your AC with the assistance of a mechanic. Some steps are easy to take and you can observe some warning signs as well.
Let us have a look at common steps to maintain your car's AC
Checking fuses
You can start checking your car's AC by checking fuses. Check your user manual to learn about the place and functions of the fuse box. Change blown or damaged fuses.
Examinee Refrigerant level
Insufficient refrigerant level is a common issue that may occur in the AC system. Therefore, you must include checking refrigerant levels in your checklist.
Check AC components:
A car AC has many components and the health of every part is vital for proper cooling in your vehicle's cabin. Therefore, you have to check parts of your car's AC system including the compressor, condenser, and evaporator. Check these parts for issues like damage and leakage.
If you cannot check the car AC on your own, see your mechanic to fix the problem as soon as possible.
Does the MOT test include car AC?
This is a common question that people generally ask.
No, car AC is not a part of MOT Test Newport. However, issues in this component will be high uncomfortable during the summer months. Therefore, you must keep your car AC in good condition.