Aftercare

CAR CARE TIPS 

CAR AIR CONDITIONING 

Servicing your air conditioner regularly will help to ensure optimum passenger comfort, particularly on those hot summer days when you need it the most. Contrary to what some people believe, an air-conditioner does not simply blow cold air into the car. The air-con system is actually designed to remove the hot air from within the vehicle cabin and dispel it to the atmosphere outside the car.

In order to do so, the air-conditioner system relies on a number of components to operate effectively, such as the evaporator, condenser and compressor. Like all mechanical parts, these items are prone to wear, so a regular system servicing helps to protect them from breakdown.

To help maintain the car air-conditioner system, you should run the system for a few minutes at least once a week – no matter how hot the temperature may be. This ensures that the many hoses, valves and pumps throughout the system are kept well lubricated. Whenever you have the car serviced, make sure you ask the service advisor to check the refrigerant level and re-gas the system if necessary. The air conditioner is not always included in a standard service, so it can be easily neglected. It is good practice to get a full air conditioning service at least once a year to ensure that the system is properly gassed, and that the compressor oil is adequate.

A car air-conditioning system can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and fungus. This is particularly important for sufferers of asthma or allergies. As part of the aircon service, the system is treated with an antibacterial treatment which kills those harmful bacteria and is designed to protect you and your passengers while also helping to remove the musty odour that can be evident from the air conditioner vents.

Common items that may be involved in a car air conditioner service or re-gas:

• Air vent temperature check
• Reclaiming, recycling or replacement of operating gas
• Replacement or check of receiver drier / filter
• Check operation of valves and thermostats
• Leak test of system lines and components
• Inspection of hoses and components
• Cleaning condenser fins
• Deodorise and sanitise system