It’s that time of year again when drivers should start thinking about their car’s air conditioning (AC). A little preventive maintenance can help prevent air conditioning failure on hot summer days. A common cause of air conditioning failure is low refrigerant levels. Topping up or topping up refrigerant can breathe new life into the air conditioner. We’ll tell you the most important things you need to know, including signs that your air conditioner needs a recharge.
What is automatic AC charging?
By automatically charging the air conditioning system, the refrigerant in your car’s air conditioning system is brought back to the optimal level. A car’s air conditioning system is a closed system that, when turned on, produces cooled air by repeatedly converting the refrigerant from gas to liquid and back to gas through pressurization. For this process to be successful, a certain refrigerant content must be maintained. Therefore, restoring the optimal refrigerant level occurs by recharging the air conditioning system.
TIP: You sometimes hear the refrigerant in air conditioning systems referred to as “freon”. Freon, like Kleenex, is a brand name for a chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerant that has been used in car air conditioning systems for decades. It is now banned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
RELATED: Freon: Signs Your Car Needs It
What are the signs that a car’s air conditioning needs to be recharged?
Some telltale signs that your refrigerant level could be low include:
- The air conditioning doesn’t cool.
- Ice or frost on the pipes or compressor.
- You don’t hear the air conditioning turning on.
- Greasy puddles form under your parked car.
- Warm air comes out of the ventilation slots.
TIP: Even if your car’s air conditioning system shows no signs of low refrigerant, you can check the level yourself using a refrigerant test gauge. However, you must know the specific grade of air conditioning refrigerant used in your vehicle (R12, R134a or R1234yf) as these are not interchangeable. You can find this information in your car’s owner’s manual, on a sticker under the hood, or by contacting the service department of your brand’s dealer or auto repair shop.
How much does an AC charge cost?
According to Kelley Blue Book’s Service Advisor auto repair pricing tool, professionally recharging a car’s air conditioning costs $264 to $310. However, checking for refrigerant leaks is usually part of a professional top-up process.
Can you charge a car’s air conditioning yourself?
The quick answer is: yes, you can charge a car’s air conditioning system yourself. However, there is some danger to you and the environment. Put on gloves and safety glasses before charging. Additionally, you’ll need to know the grade of refrigerant your car uses, purchase the correct replacement refrigerant, and possibly purchase the appropriate charge hose and gauge set. You will also need to be able to identify your car’s air conditioning compressor to make sure it is working and locate the air conditioning low pressure connection on the return line. Attach the refill hose, the pressure gauge and the refrigerant can there. Charging costs between $80 and $130.
TIP: According to Gary Hardesty of Kelley Blue Book, our in-house service and maintenance expert and ASE certified master technician, a low refrigerant level almost always indicates a leak somewhere in your car’s air conditioning system. Although refilling with fresh refrigerant can temporarily restore the air conditioner’s cooling performance, it does not solve most leak problems. “It is important to address the leak both as a cost measure and as an environmental concern regarding the release of refrigerant into the atmosphere,” Hardesty said, adding: “There are some legal and operational concerns when making repairs to the (car’s) air conditioning system ). home.”
Our advice
If refrigerant loss is a chronic, ongoing problem, have your car’s air conditioning serviced by a professional technician at a dealer or repair facility. Keeping your vehicle in perfect condition will preserve its value. Maintaining your vehicle will help you if you ever need to sell it or trade it in for a new one.