Things You Should Know About Your Car’s A/C in Prescott Valley, Arizona

May 24, 2022 0 comments Automotive Services

Your car’s A/C can turn a routine grocery run into a fantastic experience, especially on a hot summer afternoon. All you need to do to usher in a wave of cool air is to hit a button and turn a few dials. However, how do I know car a/c works automatically and the mechanism behind the magic?

Most people do not know about their AC compressor, air compressor clutch, cooling fans, air filter, AC clutch, office tube, or AC condenser.

There’s no need to know until you have a hot car. If your car doesn’t blow cold air, you need to get your car AC system up to par. It is quite pressing when it is blowing hot air.

Does the car air conditioner system have a refrigerant leak? Does it have poor airflow? What about its orifice tube? Could it have a blown fuse? Whether it is low refrigerant or something else, it is good to have some knowledge on the matter.

This simple guide will tell you everything you need to know about your car’s A/C. We will also throw in a few tips and tricks for repairing your car’s air conditioning system and wrap up with how to take care of your car’s air conditioner in different conditions.

 

How Does Your Car’s A/C System Work?

Your car’s A/C system can turn summer’s hot, humid heat into a chill and cozy atmosphere. However, your car’s A/C system does not contain ice, so how does it keep your car cool?

Believe it or not, the chill air produced by your car’s A/C system is processed hot air.

How does hot air become cold air?

There is a scientific explanation regarding thermodynamics, but we don’t want to go into that. You need to know that the system uses a multi-step process to remove heat from the hot air.

The process includes causing changes in temperature by making changes in pressure. The result is the cold air you enjoy when your car’s A/C system is on.

When you turn on the A/C system, the compressor raises the system’s refrigerant (Freon) temperature through compression. The compressed refrigerant loses heat as it moves through the condenser to the dryer/receiver.

The dryer/receiver removes moisture and contaminants from the refrigerant before reaching the expansion valve/accumulator. At this point, the refrigerant slows down, drops in temperature, and loses pressure before getting to the evaporator.

The evaporator also removes moisture and lowers the refrigerant’s temperature. The car’s ventilation system’s blower motor pushes the cooled air into the passenger compartment by blowing air over the cold evaporator. The result is the cool air you enjoy.

 

How Often Should I Inspect My Car’s A/C?

Well, it depends on you. Are you satisfied with the airflow coming from your car’s A/C system? If your answer is yes, you don’t need any A/C inspection.

If your answer is no, you need to determine where you are on the spectrum: “the A/C is not cold enough” to “It takes too much time for my A/C to cool my car?”

Don’t sweat it if you don’t know where you fit in. Call us for an A/C Performance Check, and your car’s A/C will start working fine in no time.

If your A/C is in good condition, then check out the section on how to maintain your car’s A/C.

With proper maintenance, your car’s A/C can go forever without needing a recharge. But we often slip up here and there, so you might need to check it occasionally. It happens to all of us.

 

Tips and Tricks on Repairing Your Car’s A/C

Here are some A/C tips and tips to help you get the most from this luxury feature:

  • Check the airflow

Turn on your car’s A/C and turn the dial to the max. As you do this, observe if the air is cool or warm. If it is cool enough, you don’t have a problem. If it is not, you might want to have the cabin air filter inspected and properly replaced

  • Electrical issues

Unless you have some experience and the right tools, we recommend driving to an auto repair shop if you have electrical issues.

  • Replacing refrigerant

The first time you change or top up your refrigerant should be at an auto repair shop. You can ask the technician to show you how to top up your refrigerant on your own properly. You should also ask for the correct refrigerant for your car.

  • Cleaning the port and cap

You can clean the port and cap on your own. All you need to do is locate the line that connects the compressor to the button of your car. From there, remove the cap and clean the port and the lid.

 

How to Take Care of Your Car’s A/C

  • Always clean your air filter

Your air filter can accumulate dust in summer. These dust and dirt can trap moisture and turn your ducts into breeding grounds for mold, mildew, and bacteria. So you should regularly clean your air filter to get rid of such dirt.

  • Dry your evaporator

We all know that bad A/C smell, but we certainly do not want it. To avoid foul odors, you must dry out your evaporator after long periods.

Obtain Professional Services at Autoworks Service & Repair in Prescott Valley, Arizona

At our auto repair shop, we know all about maintaining and repairing car A/C systems of different makes and models. An A/C Performance Check from us will reveal any issues with your car’s A/C system and get it to chilly blast air all day.

Car owners can feel free to schedule an appointment at Autoworks Service & Repair today.