Summer heat is no joke this year. If your car’s AC isn’t working the way it should, it can mean any drive feels endless. While refrigerant is a necessary part of your car’s AC system, there are other factors that can impact its function, too. Aside from scheduling an AC service with your technician, there are a number of at-home maintenance tips and tricks you can try to get your car’s air conditioning back up and running.
Your go-to solution may be to add refrigerant or schedule an AC refresh for your car. When that doesn’t work, what do you do next? There are a few things you can check on your car that could be impacting your car’s air conditioning system, preventing it from properly cooling air. Check these few things before scheduling an auto repair appointment and they may fix your car’s AC or give your technician more direction.
As you drive your car, debris can easily build up on the grill, preventing proper airflow. If too much debris builds up, it can end up clogging your compressor, which can cause failure that will send hot air out of your car’s vents. Cleaning the grille of your car regularly will keep your compressor working its best for longer. That means you’ll stay cooler through the summer and spend less on AC services for your car.
It may be the last thing you want to do in the middle of winter but cranking your car’s AC up to high once a month year-round can help keep it healthy. More specifically, this helps keep your compressor healthy. If your car is suddenly blowing hot air at the beginning of the summer season, it could be because your compressor failed due to a long period of inactivity. While your car blowing hot air may mean you’re already dealing with compressor failure, you can give this a try – and if you wind up with a new compressor, try using your air conditioning regularly to keep it running its best.
Just like your home, your car uses an air filter to ensure the air cycling through your car is clean. Over time, this filter will become clogged with dust, dirt, and other debris and will have to be changed. Luckily, this can be easy for you to do at home. Consult your owner’s manual to find out what type of air filter your car uses and where you can locate it under the hood. Typically, you won’t need many tools to carry out this replacement yourself and it can make a difference for your car’s AC system.
If none of the above suggestions work, it may be time to make an AC service appointment with a trusted technician. While at-home car maintenance and repairs can save you money, once part of your car’s AC system has failed, it’s time for the professionals to step in.
Beyond the parts in your car’s AC system, the electrical system also plays a big role in keeping you cool through the summer. This is a common cause behind necessary AC services, so if the above tips and tricks don’t make a difference, it’s likely this is what you’re dealing with. Because your car’s electrical system is complex, it’s best to have a technician take a look rather than trying to figure it out yourself.
It’s also possible that a part of your AC system associated with the above maintenance has already failed. A buildup of debris may have caused compressor failure. Lack of use could have led to compressor failure when you turned your car’s air conditioning on. Whatever your car needs, it’s a good idea to schedule an AC service with a trusted technician to get it up and running again.
