As hot summer weather approaches, your car’s interior needs plenty of cool air to keep you and your crew comfortable while driving around town. Too often we take a car’s air conditioning system for granted. But cold air in hot weather is not just another characteristic. It’s a necessity.
So what can we do to promote the health of our rides’ air conditioning before a car air conditioning repair becomes necessary? How can we help our car’s air conditioning work better?
To find out, we asked Kelley Blue Book’s in-house service and maintenance expert, Gary Hardesty, an ASE-certified master technician. His advice can help us stay cool all year round, especially in summer.
Read on to learn more about common car air conditioning problems, helpful usage tips, and information about maintaining your air conditioning system.
- Be careful of high engine temperatures on steep inclines
- Keep the channels under the windshield dry and clear
- If smells are detected, act quickly
- Read the air conditioning section of the owner’s manual
- Add a maintenance schedule for air conditioning checkpoints
- Change the AC filter if necessary
- Open the windows to let out our hot air
- If possible, use the fresh air opening
- Run defrost mode occasionally
- Use the coldest setting
1. Be aware of high engine temperatures on steep inclines
For many drivers, a summer vacation means driving to the mountains. If you’re driving up a steep grade in hot weather and your car is full of people and equipment, keep an eye on the engine temperature. Operating the air conditioner increases the load on your engine, which can cause the engine to overheat. If you see the engine temperature gauge rising, Hardesty recommends turning the heater on high for a few minutes to lower the engine temperature and temporarily relieve the load on the car’s cooling system.
2. Keep the “intakes” under the windshield dry and clear
Our expert says water, dirt and leaves at the bottom of the windshield could reduce operating efficiency and contribute to mold growth in the air conditioner. The area where the hood and windshield meet is a prime collection point for debris like pine needles and wind-blown leaves. Unfortunately, the air conditioning air intake is located in this area, so old leaves have a hard time rotting there. Hardesty recommends regularly removing any obstructions that are blocking airflow, as well as small debris that could get into the air distribution box and clog water drains.
3. If odors are detected, act quickly
Strange smells in your car’s vents can be a sign of significant problems. However, some odors may also come from your car’s previous owner who smoked or allowed pet odors to accumulate. In these cases, Hardesty says a few orange peels placed on the floor of your car for a few days will help. Other options include spraying an odor neutralizer like Ozium into the vents or replacing the air conditioning filter (skip to tip #6 for more details).
However, there are some smells to watch out for that could indicate a more serious problem:
- Musty or moldy smell
A musty smell could mean that mold has entered your cooling system’s evaporator and is not draining. One way to deal with this: You can run your heater on high for a while to dry out the evaporator/heater core.
- Sweet smell
A sweet smell may indicate an antifreeze leak. A professional mechanic can perform a leak test to confirm the problem and provide service options.
- Smell of gas
If you smell gas coming from your air conditioner, it could indicate a dangerous gas leak. However, it could also mean that your gas cap is not seated securely or is broken. In any case, ensure that the problem is resolved quickly.
4. Read the air conditioner section of the owner’s manual
Your owner’s manual contains numerous recommendations and requirements for operating the vehicle, including the air conditioning and engine cooling system. Follow appropriate antifreeze guidelines to ensure proper corrosion protection and prevent overheating. If your summer travel plans don’t include a road trip, you can also check the book in your glove compartment for information on air conditioning maintenance when the vehicle will not be used for an extended period of time.
5. Add air conditioning checkpoints to the maintenance schedule
Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. This includes checking system performance to determine if recharging the vehicle’s air conditioning system is required. A routine inspection can identify potential problems before they become problems. Staying on top of air conditioning maintenance will help reduce your fuel consumption while ensuring the vehicle’s interior remains comfortable for you and your passengers. Have the system checked at least at the beginning of each warm season. Service should include checking the drive belt tension, cleaning the capacitor fins, and a performance test.
6. Change the AC filter if necessary
Replacing the cabin air filter is an essential part of vehicle air conditioning maintenance. A typical replacement interval is 30,000 miles, but drivers (or passengers) with airborne allergies may receive filters more frequently to prevent dust and pollen from circulating in the car. Clean cabin filters also ensure greater airflow and can reduce unpleasant odors. Even car owners with minimal mechanical skills can save money and replace the filter by following the instructions in the owner’s manual.
7. Open Windows, start driving, and then turn on the air conditioner
Don’t expect the air conditioning to immediately cool down the interior in summer weather if the vehicle’s interior is scorching hot because you’ve been sitting in the sun all day. You can get a head start by opening your car’s windows to flush out hot air when you start the car and turn the blower to high. After about a minute, close the windows and adjust the air conditioning as needed to achieve comfort.
8. Use the fresh air vent whenever possible
The choice between recirculated air mode and outside air mode is confusing for some people. Follow this simple advice: Use forced air when there are external conditions (smoke, dust, odors or high humidity). Otherwise, choose outside air. In recirculation mode, the inside air can become stuffy and the windows can fog up. Prolonged use of this mode is not recommended. Instead, use outside air mode whenever possible.
9. Occasionally operate in defrost mode
According to our expert, using defrost mode in your car does more than just remove the frost from your windows. It prevents mold growth and eliminates moisture inside the air conditioner. Doing this once a week for 5 to 10 minutes can help prevent mold, mildew, or other unpleasant odors in your car.
10. Use the coldest setting and adjust the fan
Most experts agree that choosing the lowest temperature on your air conditioner is more efficient for the car’s cooling system and saves fuel. Why? Hardesty says most cooling systems only cool the cabin by 30 degrees and then stop. When you reach this point, set the temperature higher and activate the heater at the same time. This double effort puts strain on the system and uses more fuel. Instead, turn the AC fan on low and turn the vents away from you.
Common AC Problems
Like many other systems in your car, the air conditioning system becomes weaker as it wears down, leading to car air conditioning repair. Keep an eye out for telltale signs of common and costly problems, such as:
- Refrigerant leaks
- Air conditioning doesn’t blow cold
- Broken cooling fans
- Malfunctions in the condenser and compressor
- Mold in the vents
The cost of servicing and repairing your car’s heating and air conditioning system can range from $300 to $2,000, depending on what needs to be repaired. So it’s something you have to keep an eye on and maintain. Use the Kelley Blue Book Service Advisor tool to get an air conditioning repair estimate before scheduling an appointment with your repair shop.
Read related articles:
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since its original publication. Joni Finkle contributed to this report.