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Understanding Your Car's Air Conditioning

posted on 6/29/2020 2:18:00 PM

During those hot Wisconsin summer days, the air conditioning in your car can be a real lifesaver. In fact, with over 99% of cars today equipped with A/C, it’s hard to imagine driving without this “cool” convenience!

But, air conditioning was not always a standard feature in vehicles. It wasn’t until the 1940 Packard came along that air conditioning systems were first factory-installed in automobiles.

Chances are good you haven’t needed to worry about your car’s air conditioning system much – it tends to be a relatively low-maintenance aspect of vehicles. But, now that A/C is pretty much as common as electric windows, it’s a good idea to get to know your car’s air conditioning so you can enjoy cool air all summer long. Listen to the new All About The Car podcat episode below to learn more!

How does the A/C System Work?

First things first – How does the air conditioning in your vehicle work? The main components include the evaporator, condenser, compressor, A/C lines, and the refrigerant fluid. The system can be widespread, with different parts located throughout the car. Because of this as well as its touchy nature, it often takes specialized equipment to troubleshoot the A/C system.

When the air conditioning is turned on, it works to cool the interior of your vehicle by evaporating humidity out of the air and absorbing heat. This is done by moving heat to the condenser at the front of the car where it is then absorbed in the evaporator core. The result is cooler, dryer air!

The air conditioning system can make about a 30-degree difference in temperature within the car, depending on the humidity and weather conditions outside the vehicle. A/C can typically take the interior down to about 40 degrees; anything colder could freeze up the system. Luckily, there are fail-safes within the components to stop this from happening. For additional information on the inner workings of the A/C system, click here.

What About Rear A/C and Cooled Seats?

Rear air conditioning is a feature found in many modern cars. This allows the back of the vehicle to be efficiently cooled using the same system as the front air conditioning. Cooled seats are another feature found in newer automobiles. These seats are made of a porous foam and are cooled in one of two ways: either a fan or the A/C system is utilized to funnel cool air into the seat. Both methods help to dissipate body heat and cool the driver and passenger.

Signs for A/C Concern

So, how do you know your air conditioning system is working at an optimal level? Here’s a few things to watch for that could signal a need for service:

An unusual smell from the vents

Banging or rattling noises when turning on A/C system

Puddles, fluids or stains on the interior of your vehicle

Air from vents feels warmer than it used to

What’s That Smell?

Do you notice a moldy, musty odor after turning on your air conditioning? This is a common occurrence when the A/C system is activated for the first time each year. The smell is caused by mold growing in the dehumidifier located in the dash. To combat the smell, check your cabin air filter and change it if necessary. You can also purchase chemicals to spray in the vents that will kill any mold. Learn more about the musty odor in your vents here.

Getting the Most out of Your A/C

We don’t have to tell you how incredibly hot cars can get when sitting in the summer sun. So, if you’re looking to cool down quickly, what is the best way to operate your vehicle’s air conditioning? First, roll down your windows and turn the A/C on high. Then, after a few minutes, roll the windows back up. Assuming your car has this setting, you’ll then want to turn your air conditioning to the “recirculate” option (also called “Max Air”). This setting will take the cold air in your car and cool it off multiple times instead of bringing new, warm air through the system. It’s sort of like recycling your cool air!

Why is Air from some Vents Cooler than Others?

If you’ve noticed a few of your vents are blowing colder air than others, you’re not alone. This is a fairly common occurrence, and while it could indicate issues with the dash controls, this is usually not a need for concern. The temperature discrepancy is more than likely due to the fact that some vents travel near warmer locations within the vehicle, which means the air in those particular vents takes longer to cool. Additionally, many cars nowadays have “dual climate control”, allowing air to be different temperatures between, say, the driver and passenger side of the car.

How can I get the Best Fuel Mileage?

When it comes to fuel mileage, which is best: using your A/C or rolling down the windows? The truth is, you’ll get the best fuel mileage when you refrain from doing either...but there’s no bonus points for making your drive uncomfortable! With that in mind, it is typically better on fuel mileage to use your air conditioning system rather than to drive with the windows down. You can find more information on this topic here.

Servicing the Air Conditioning System

Monitoring the temperature of the air cooled by your car’s A/C is the best indicator that service is needed. You can use a thermometer to test the vents. If the air coming out gets down to around 40 degrees, it is functioning normally. But, when your car cools off slower than it used to, it’s definitely time for the system to be serviced. It is recommended that your air conditioning is checked every other year, even if it seems to be working normally. Refrigerant levels slowly decrease over time and moisture will seep into the system that should be removed. Both occurrences can lead to strain within the system. Click here for another great resource regarding servicing your A/C.

While it is possible to buy kits to check the A/C yourself, this can be difficult to do correctly. It is easy to lose refrigerant, and an improper charge going into the system while checking it can cause some real damage! Air conditioning maintenance and repair is best left to the pros. Learn more about your vehicle’s air conditioning by listening to our All About The Car podcast episode titled Understanding Your Car’s Air Conditioning. You can listen below or wherever you stream podcasts!

Now that you’re armed with knowledge about automotive air conditioning, you can rest assured you’ll be riding comfortably in a cool car all summer long. Have questions, comments, or ideas for our team? We’d love to hear them! Drop us a line by emailing [email protected] or messaging us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. We’ll see you next time!