To ensure your vehicle’s air conditioning system is able to keep you cool and comfortable throughout the hot summer months, it is important to perform regular AC maintenance. The following tips will keep your air conditioner running at peak performance year-round.
Tip #1: Run Your AC Regularly
You run your air conditioner religiously during the summer and never think twice about it during the winter. However, even during the coldest months of the year when you don’t need the AC, it is a good idea to turn it on for about 10 minutes on a weekly basis.
Turn the AC on high and as cold as it will go. This helps to keep your air conditioner in tip-top shape by maintaining the gas pressure and keeping the compressor functioning.
Don’t forget to also run the defrost once a week for five to 10 minutes. This will help to prevent mildew and unpleasant odors while also helping to remove excess moisture that may be present in the AC system.
Tip #2: Clean the Air Filter
Cleaning the AC air filter on a regular basis is also important to maintain your car’s AC system. Once an AC filter becomes dirty and clogged, it impacts how efficiently the heating and cooling system works in your vehicle. Poor efficiency can also lead to unpleasant odors, reduced air volume, and premature failure of system components.
As a general rule, your vehicle’s air filter will be located behind the glove box. The glove box needs to be removed in order to access the air filter, but this is an easy process. Remove the air filter and shake it out to remove any dirt and debris build-up. The filter may need to be cleaned or replaced. If you clean it, make sure that you don’t replace it until it is thoroughly dry.
Further, you should consider upgrading to a more efficient air filter as opposed to the original one that came in your vehicle. Higher-grade filters will clean the circulating air within your vehicle more efficiently while lasting longer in between cleanings and replacements.
Tip #3: Clear Debris
To further maintain your vehicle’s air conditioning system, you should inspect the exterior grills that are located beneath the windshield. Check for any leaves, twigs, and other debris, and remove them if they’re present. This step will help keep debris from being sucked into the AC system and causing a significant clog.
You should also check the condenser on a regular basis. Debris can build up on the condenser, causing a clog and making it operate less effectively. Use a garden hose to clean it off so it continues to work properly.
Tip #4: Vacuum the Carpet
As you can guess now, moisture and dirt are two of the things you want to avoid coming into contact with your car’s air conditioning system. With that being said, it is a good idea to vacuum the carpet and mats and clean the interior of your vehicle well. In doing so, you are helping to prevent dirt, debris, and excess moisture from entering the AC duct and interior AC vent. As a result, your AC will remain cleaner and cool more efficiently.
Tip #5: Schedule Professional Service
In order for your air conditioning system to continue working properly, you will want to have it professionally serviced at a dealership like Anderson Honda. Ideally, your AC system needs to be recharged every two years. At this time, a full tune-up of the system is a good idea.
At Anderson Honda, we can help with the recharging and lubrication of the AC system’s moving parts to keep them working well. Further, we can identify the presence of leaks or damage. The earlier these types of issues are detected, the more time and money you can save.
The aforementioned steps will help you maintain your car’s AC system, helping prolong its lifespan and reduce potential issues. If you run into problems with the proper functioning of your air conditioning system, contact us immediately. We will diagnose the issue and get your air conditioner back up and running again, ensuring you are cool and comfortable when it matters most.
