Air Con Maintenance On Cars

[Red diesel]

Okay folks - quick question

What are the normal servicing requirements for the Air conditioning on a car.

One of our family cars has to go to its nearest main dealer for its maker for another

issue. If the Air con needs a service i will arrange to have it done at the same time.

Red diesel

[jirehn]

Well what happened in your car's air con?

[crofter]

Are there any issues with the operating of your A/C?

If it has none how will you know if

(A) it needed it

(B) it was carried out

Del

[Raistlin]

Okay folks - quick question

What are the normal servicing requirements for the Air conditioning on a car.

One of our family cars has to go to its nearest main dealer for its maker for another

issue. If the Air con needs a service i will arrange to have it done at the same time.

Red diesel

Clue, If its cold then it's working.

Some folk have their Air Con re-gassed every two to three years but I'm of the school it it ain't broke don't fix it :)

Just make sure you run it each week to circulate and lubricate the works.

[Jamesbelfast]

The original post asked what the servicng requirements were. In my view servicing means not just repairs but preventative maintainance. I take the poster was seeking service advice.

A a general rule air-conditioning repairs recommend every year but you have to accept they may say so in the hope of drumming up trade. On the other hand failing to check or service the system may lead to premature wear and tear leading to expensive repairs later on.

Most people would see the sense in changing and renewing their engine oil at certain intervals but not think about renewing the air-conditioning refrigerant which contains vital lubricants to maintain internal working parts and seals.

A proper service of the air-con will involve checking the cabin filter (renew if necessary), cleaning the air was with a suitable anti-bacterial agent, emptying the system of refrigerant, vacuum, testing to ensure any moisture is removed, refilling with the correct amount of approved refrigerant, testing the system for leaks, and checking the output temperature at vents in the climate control system of the car. For obvious reasons air-con systems in wet climates suffer more than dry regions so service intervals can vary quite a bit but in my experience I would suggest no more than three years to be a suitable service interval.

NOTE!! it is well accepted that NOT running the air-con system is more likely to lead to problems. Ideally in the UK climate it should be run for at least 10 minutes every week

[jedi134]

I dont think my Rav`s ever been re`gassed certainly not since i`ve had it....and it still blows cold

[Mistermena]

Totally agree with James on this point!

[Red diesel]

The original post asked what the servicng requirements were. In my view servicing means not just repairs but preventative maintainance. I take the poster was seeking service advice.

A a general rule air-conditioning repairs recommend every year but you have to accept they may say so in the hope of drumming up trade. On the other hand failing to check or service the system may lead to premature wear and tear leading to expensive repairs later on.

Most people would see the sense in changing and renewing their engine oil at certain intervals but not think about renewing the air-conditioning refrigerant which contains vital lubricants to maintain internal working parts and seals.

A proper service of the air-con will involve checking the cabin filter (renew if necessary), cleaning the air was with a suitable anti-bacterial agent, emptying the system of refrigerant, vacuum, testing to ensure any moisture is removed, refilling with the correct amount of approved refrigerant, testing the system for leaks, and checking the output temperature at vents in the climate control system of the car. For obvious reasons air-con systems in wet climates suffer more than dry regions so service intervals can vary quite a bit but in my experience I would suggest no more than three years to be a suitable service interval.

NOTE!! it is well accepted that NOT running the air-con system is more likely to lead to problems. Ideally in the UK climate it should be run for at least 10 minutes every week

Thanks a million for that - most useful - and in line with what i had heard previously (sometimes when you hear someone say something - it triggers your memory - "ive heard that before")

Red diesel

[acetip]

As my Auris has climate control i leave on all year round may cost a little exta in fuel but thats the idea of the thing,doing this also protects the system such as seals not drying out.

A standard air con needs turning on in winter every now and then as has already been said to keep the seals lubricated. but it so easy to forget to do this when the weather is Brass Monkies. pity there is no auto way the system could be run for a short time to prevent problems or indeed a auto remind system.