Car air conditioning – how often should it be recharged?
A properly functioning car air-conditioning system guarantees a comfortable journey, even on hot days. It is therefore important to regularly check the level of refrigerant, which determines how well the vehicle’s interior is cooled. This refrigerant is depleted as a result of the vehicle’s day-to-day use. Find out when and how often to top it up.
Not enough refrigerant – what does that mean?
Approximately 15 per cent of the refrigerant is lost annually (under normal operating conditions, when the air conditioning is in use during spring and summer). The efficiency of the entire system depends on the quality and quantity of the refrigerant. As the refrigerant level drops, the air conditioning’s performance and cooling capacity deteriorate. It is therefore important to top up the refrigerant and mix it with the oil that lubricates the compressor. This ensures the air-conditioning system operates under the correct conditions.
As a general rule, the refrigerant should be topped up once every two years. However, if you notice that the refrigerant is running out much faster, it is worth taking the car in for a service. This may reveal, for example, that there is a leak in the system, in which case a repair or replacement of the component with a new one will be necessary.
How can you tell if your air-conditioning system is worn out?
Of course, you can have the efficiency of your air-conditioning system checked at a specialist workshop. It is also worth visiting one to arrange for the entire system to be cleaned. This is very important because of the dirt that accumulates behind the grille – fungi, mould and bacteria. We inhale all of this when we switch on an uncleaned air-conditioning system.
Usually, an unpleasant odour, as well as reduced cooling efficiency, are signs of a worn-out air-conditioning system and prompt a visit to the garage. However, it is not worth putting this off until the last minute. Travelling by car with an inefficient or dirty air-conditioning system is not only uncomfortable but also a health hazard.
The most common signs of air-conditioning wear and tear and a refrigerant leak are:
- an unpleasant smell when the air conditioning is switched on,
- inadequate cooling, no noticeable drop in temperature inside the vehicle,
- intermittent cooling.
A problem with the air conditioning isn’t always down to a refrigerant leak. Sometimes it’s a blockage in the system or high pressure in the circuit, which means you have to visit car air-conditioning service.
Don’t put off a visit to the garage
If you don’t take your car in for a service in good time, you could end up with bigger and more costly problems. An air-conditioning service is essential once a year or once every two years. If a major breakdown occurs, such as the compressor seizing up, the cost will be considerably higher and the damage difficult to reverse.