Car Care – Air Conditioning

Even in states like Michigan, where LotPro.com is located, we take air conditioning in cars for granted. Because it comes on so many cars, there are a few things that you should know about to get it ready for spring…

Basic Maintenance

There is nothing worse than to get into your car with an outside temperature of 90 degrees and the humidity at 90% only to find out that your air conditioner is not working.

For the most part, there are few things that you can do to your air conditioning system without expensive and elaborate tools and equipment. One thing that you can do is to check your owner’s manual to see if your car is equipped with a pollen filter. Many new vehicles have this type of filter. It is designed to cut down on the pollen entering the a/c system. Spring is a good time to remove and inspect this filter. If it is dirty, replace it. This will also make the system more efficient.

Refrigerant

The refrigerant is the liquid that circulates in the cooling system. Prior to 1994, most cars used a refrigerant called R-12. This type of refrigerant was found to be very damaging to the environment, so beginning in 1994, all vehicles were required to use R-134a. These two types are not compatible, so be aware of this when you have your system checked.

If you turn on the a/c and the air is not cold, you will need to bring your car to a car dealer or a mechanic to have it checked for pressure and for leaks.

The Bottom Line

Here at LotPro.com, we want you to have an enjoyable summer and part of this enjoyment is to be able to drive your car in comfort. Be sure to check your air conditioning system before the weather turns hot.

Tags: air conditioning, pollen filter, r-134a