In a vehicle, every system requires attention and should be serviced on time. People often take these systems for granted. As a result, they have to pay more costs to replace them. The air conditioning system is often one of the most neglected ones. Until and unless it stops working efficiently, people don’t bother getting its service.
Some time ago, car air conditioners were considered a luxury feature. These were only included in the top models as ACs were expensive to install. However, today, air conditioners have become a necessary feature of vehicles. It has become standard equipment.
Even human beings require regular maintenance. Then, how can you expect a car air conditioning system to work without timely service? It’s one of the essential features, and if it’s not working efficiently, it doesn’t only make your car warm but also causes slight suffocation.
Signs that Car AC is Not Working
Air conditioners in cars are often avoided until and unless they stop functioning or cause other problems. If you don’t want to get stuck in the summer heat with a problematic air conditioner, it’s essential to look out for signs of air conditioning problems.
When buying second-hand cars, we’ve seen that AC problems are widespread. So, if you are looking forward to buying the cars for sale in Ghana, make sure you thoroughly check the car. Taking help from a professional mechanic will be great too.
Here are a few of the signs that shouldn’t be avoided:
1. It’s Not Cooling
It’s the most obvious one. The red flag!
There is no air conditioning, so there is no chilling. You may have a problem with your HVAC system if you’re getting a lot of nothing or warm or hot air instead of cold or hot air from the vents.
It could be due to several factors, including a lack of refrigerant, malfunctioning cooling fans, or something as simple as clogged vents or a cabin air filter with leaves or other debris. At this point, it’s best to visit a mechanic. The professionals can help in identifying the source as well as a solution.
2. Uncanny Sounds
Another warning sign of a non-functioning AC is the weird sounds coming from the car. You often turn on the air conditioner and hear some rattling and banging. Ignoring these noises can make it worse.
Typically, there’s debris that clogs the fan. Thus, you hear sounds that often become unbearable after a specific duration.
3. Bad Smell
Who likes sitting in a smelly car? Imagine you turn on the AC, and there is an unpleasant smell that quickly diffuses in the car. Most probably, it’s coming out of the car vents. It’s a warning sign. There’s a possibility of mold growth inside the air conditioning system.
You’ll have to take immediate measures to deal with the mold. Please don’t leave it unattended. You might face respiratory issues by inhaling the affected air.
5 Reasons to Service Your Car AC
Before you start looking for reasons to service your car’s AC, it’s essential to understand the different components of your car’s air-conditioning system. It comprises:
- Receiver
- Refrigerant
- Condenser
- Compressor
- Evaporation coils
- Thermal expansion valve
So, here are some reasons to ensure that you get your car air conditioning system serviced regularly:
1. To Keep the Car Cool in Hot Weather
It’s one of the most obvious reasons. If the air conditioner is not working, your car will get warm. If the weather is sunny, it will be more difficult to tolerate the hotness.
As your vehicle gets older, the efficiency of the air conditioner reduces. Running a lot of mileage is one of the reasons. We’re sure there’s no good driving your car for long distances without a functioning air conditioner.
Imagine the scorching heat. It can create an unpleasant experience for the driver as well as passengers. You’ll have to struggle to lower the temperature to make it bearable throughout.
The best way to avoid all this is to get your AC serviced regularly.
2. Avoid Wasting Fuel
When your car’s air conditioning system is working resourcefully, it ducks using the additional quantity of fuel. It already consumes fuel to power it. However, if it’s not functioning, why do you want to waste your fuel on it?
Thus, it’s better to get your AC regularly serviced to run efficiently and avoid fuel wastage.
3. Avoid Unpleasant Rattling Noises
A few things that irritate drivers more when driving are the rattling or banging sounds coming from anywhere in the car, especially when it’s challenging to identify the noise source. When your air conditioner is ignored, it can cause rattling noises, so having it serviced regularly can help prevent this.
All sorts of exasperating reverberations can be made if the condenser or fan belt in the AC system wears out. Or if debris has gathered in the system and is jamming part of it up. Of course, you may wait until one of these sounds arises before taking action, but why not avoid it altogether by having your air conditioner serviced?
4. Evade Noxious Odors
A foul odor emanating from the AC vents when you switch it on is one of the most typical symptoms that your car’s air conditioning system needs to be serviced. And once you realize why this occurs, we’re confident you’ll pay closer attention to your car’s air conditioning in the future.
Dust and dirt will inevitably be present in the air your air conditioner draws in, and some of that dust and dirt will get caught in the system over time. Now comes the nasty part: the locations in the air conditioning system where dirt collects, allowing germs to breed and multiply over months and years.
Once the bacteria has reached a particular threshold, it will produce nasty byproducts.
5. Increase the Resale Value Of Your Vehicle
When it comes time to sell your automobile, a healthy functioning air conditioning system that is brutally cold, quiet, and odorless will be an asset. Can you image someone taking it for a test drive on a scorching hot day and finding that the air conditioning doesn’t function or emits a horrible odor when they turn it on?
Even if it’s a frigid day, a bad-smelling air system will leave a terrible impression on your potential buyer. If your upholstery is damp and stinky due to leaks from an unloved air-conditioning unit, you’ll have difficulty sealing the deal unless you drastically reduce your price.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line is that before you plan your road trip or take your car out for a drive, make sure that all the systems are working correctly. Considering the weather conditions in most countries, air conditioners are identified as one of the cars’ most essential systems. If you want to ensure that it functions efficiently, get it serviced regularly.
