Beating the heat is an essential challenge for nearly everyone when summer rolls around. And beating the heat can sometimes pose a challenge for your car too. One important thing to consider as you transition from one season to the next is to give your car a quick check-up.
Right before winter, many people prepare by “winterizing” their homes and cars. This can be as simple as making sure windows are properly sealed to keep cold air out and warm air in or checking fluids to prevent them from freezing. When temperatures plummet, it’s easy to recognize the need to prepare, yet it’s often just as important when temperatures rise.
Prepare Your Car for Summer Heat
So when summer gets near, consider making sure your car is ready to take on the heat. You might be wondering where to begin, so here is a quick checklist of items to evaluate.
Changing and Adding Refrigerant
First, just as your car’s oil needs to be changed and topped off throughout the year, your car’s cooling system needs some TLC. Within this cooling system is a refrigerant that, in the simplest of terms, works to transform warm air into cool air. Obviously, this is a critical feature when temperatures rise, and the sun is beating down on your car. You know the feeling of opening your door only to be greeted by a gush of hot air, and the only thing you want is to crank up the air conditioning.
Since this refrigerant is critical to the performance of your cooling system, be sure to check it at the beginning of the season. Sometimes it will only need to be topped off, while other times, it may need to be completely drained and removed so a fresh and new fill up can be completed.
Often this refrigerant is referred to by its more common and trademarked name, Freon. For some, as soon as they recognize their air conditioning system is blowing out warm air, they know they are probably low on Freon. Filling up with Freon is easy, but be sure to check for any leaks.
Checking for Leaks
One reason your Freon may be low is that you may have a small leak. If you fill up with Freon and notice the cool air only lasts for a day or so, it might be time to thoroughly check for a leak, as it sounds like your full batch of Freon has obviously disappeared somehow. For this reason alone, it is always a good idea to check the cooling system to avoid such a problem. No one wants to be driving in the middle of July only to be blasted with warm air due to an unknown leak that’s expelled all of your Freon.
Signs of Potential Problems
If you notice a strange smell emanating from the vents, a low flow on the fan’s maximum setting, or a system that just doesn’t work, you’ll probably need a technician to check out your system’s main components. There may be an issue with the compressor, condenser, or evaporator if you are experiencing something more than a less-than-cool burst of air.
Plan ahead with a quick inspection of your cooling system before summer begins, and you’ll be more likely to enjoy the refreshing breeze of your car’s air conditioning when those temperatures rise.