Easy to use, the air conditioning is also not very difficult to maintain. And it is essential to do it at regular intervals so that this oh so useful equipment has a good hold over time. But do you really know what to do?
It has become absolutely essential and there is no doubt that the trend should not be reversed with global warming. Yes, you will have recognized it, we are talking about air conditioning, this equipment that cools the passenger compartment in no time when the weather is milder. Whether manual or automatic, air conditioning is often very easy to use. Finally, though, since manufacturers have this annoying new tendency to separate themselves from physical controls allowing to control the temperature and the flow of air in a jiffy. No matter, if its handling is not very tedious on the whole, its maintenance can be a little more, especially on automatic systems. If you don’t want to spend the next heat wave in a mobile greenhouse with faulty air conditioning or end up with a too high bill, just follow these few tips.
Tip #1: learn to recognize the signs of faulty air conditioning
Already, you are probably wondering: how do you recognize a faulty air conditioning? Besides the inevitable “it’s no longer blowing fresh air”, here are some signs that are rarely wrong:
- It makes an abnormal noise when activated
- Bad smells appear when you use it
- You tend to get sick more easily
Tip n°2: start it regularly, even in winter
In winter, we would tend to forget it. However, we advise you to activate it during this period, if only once or twice a month, for about fifteen minutes. Bonus, it will allow you to dry the air and therefore get rid of humidity more quickly. Above all, it preserves the seals and thus prevents leaks.
Tip #3: Use a disinfectant
To clean the system as the warm weather approaches, you can buy a suitable disinfectant spray from the market. There will obviously be a user manual delivered with the product but, to put it simply, it will be necessary to 1) turn on the air conditioning 2) close all the windows 3) activate the air recycling 4) place the bomb in the vehicle and leave to act for fifteen minutes. Count about ten euros in stores or on the internet, nothing too expensive.
Tip #4: Replace the cabin filter every year
Replacing the cabin filter every year or every 15,000 km is highly recommended, especially if you live in town. Its role is to capture impurities from the outside. You can imagine that in urban areas, they are more numerous. And a clogged filter, which is no longer able to play its role correctly, can lead to bad smells, less ventilation, illnesses (allergies, angina, bronchitis). Depending on its location in your vehicle (refer to the user manual or on the internet), this is even an operation that you can simply perform yourself. Count around 30 €.
Tip n°5: recharge the air conditioning every 2 to 3 years, take advantage of offers at the right time
More complex operation, it is better to call a professional to proceed with the refill. But above all, do not neglect it because a lack of gas no longer allows the air conditioning system to function properly and to diffuse cold air. Prices can climb quickly, but specialized stores tend to offer more advantageous formulas as the weather approaches.
Also read on Auto-Moto.com:
How do you know if you need to change your car’s windshield wipers?
The basics of tire pressure: why check it? How often ? Where and how ?
How do you know if your car battery is dead?
