With the summers engulfing almost the entire country, it is very important to maintain your car’s air conditioning system. You don’t want to be stuck in a traffic jam under the hot sun beating down on the metallic roof and your AC unable to bear the load. Let us take a look at 5 tips on how to maintain the AC in your car.
Use it regularly
A common practice among Indian car owners is not using the AC in their cars regularly. A big reason for this is the belief that increased usage of AC leads to increased fuel consumption. However, this is inaccurate. Using the AC daily helps keep all the running parts in check and if there is a problem, you are likely to catch it at an early stage and fix it.
Further, one should run the AC weekly for 10 minutes in defrost mode on the coolest setting and at the maximum fan speed. This will help maintain gas pressure, keep the compressor running well, clean out moisture and prevent mildew.
Clean/change air filter
The air filter of the car needs a clean once in a while as it encounters dirt and dust accumulated everytime the vehicle is taken out. This filter is generally located below the dashboard and should also be vacuumed from time to time during general service check-ups. In case, if it is beyond clean, it is advisable to replace the air filter for a fresh one.
Don’t pre-cool cars
While pre-cooling cars is in fashion and seen as an added functionality, it is surely not advisable. A car’s air conditioning system operates at maximum efficiency when it is driven. In case the car is heated standing under the sun on a very hot day, put the fan on high once you start driving and open only the backseat windows for 10 to 20 seconds to force out the hot air. Also, avoid using it in full blast for a long duration of time.
Avoid recirculation of air
Avoid using the air conditioner in recirculation mode if there are rear passengers in the car. The recirculation mode pulls air from the front of the vehicle and re-cools it which works well for passengers in the front of your vehicle, but can leave air stale and hot in the back.
Keep the car clean
It sounds very obvious but cleaning the car, especially its insides is paramount to the well-being of a car. Dirt and bacteria can negatively impact your car’s air conditioning system. Regularly dust and vacuum clean the interiors of the car. Also, ensure that no moisture is trapped under the upholstery or carpet mats from a liquid spillage which can plague the car’s AC unit.
