Are you using fuel keeping you cool?
Rodney's Mechanical Repair Centre (AU13481) are the best mechanics to take charge of all your Car Air Conditioning Regas, Repair, Servicing and Inspection needs in Ringwood and the surrounding areas.
Maintaining a car involves several important factors. Besides the engine, transmission, and brakes, the air conditioning system also plays a crucial role in keeping your driving experience comfortable.
Especially in the warmer months, ensuring that your car's air conditioning system is running efficiently can greatly impact your ride. Rodney's Mechanical Repair Centre, known for providing exceptional car service, underlines the importance of a fully functional car air conditioning system for numerous reasons - one of the most surprising being that a bad air conditioning system can often cause your car to consume more fuel.
Most people believe that the sole function of a car’s air conditioning system is to keep the car's interior cool. However, there is more to it than meets the eye.
A defective or inefficient air conditioning system can force the engine to work harder to keep the car cool, consequently consuming more fuel. On average, running an air conditioning system can reduce the car's fuel efficiency by 3% to 10%. However, with a failing air conditioning system, these percentages can increase drastically.
Todays cars are extremely complex and just like the engine a vehicle's air conditioner system has components that need to be serviced or replaced on a regular basis to ensure continued reliable and efficient operation.
Signs of bad air conditioning can vary, but some common indications may include strange noises coming from the air conditioning system, limited airflow, foul smells, or simply that the system fails to cool the vehicle effectively. Also, if the compressor is not turning on, it could be a clear indication of a problem that needs attention. These signs shouldn't be ignored and should be promptly checked to avoid costly repairs or replacements down the line.
Leakage of refrigerant and evaporation mean that your air con system will begin to deteriorate and will have to work harder, with a resulting increase in fuel expenditure.
Therefore it is important to regularly assess the condition of the rubber seals for any signs of leaks or damage which could be contributing to a loss of refrigerant.
Rodney's Mechanical Repair Centre emphasises the importance of regular air conditioning checks, particularly of the air filters. These filters work to keep out contaminants like dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria that can compromise air quality and system performance.
If left unchecked, these pollutants can gradually build up, hampering the functionality of the air conditioning system and possibly impacting your health. Furthermore, a dirty or clogged filter will force your system to work harder to push air through, thus using more fuel.
It is recommended to have your air conditioning system inspected at least once a year. This allows potential problems to be detected early and increases the lifespan of your air conditioning system. Apart from this, routine maintenance checks, including air filter replacements, should be performed every 15,000 to 20,000 km's depending on your vehicle and how often it is used.
The expert technicians at Rodney's Mechanical Repair Centre possess the skill, knowledge, and tools necessary to ensure that your air conditioning system is operating at peak performance. Our thorough inspection process ensures that any problems are detected and rectified early, keeping you cool on the road and preventing your vehicle from consuming excess fuel.
Rodney's Mechanical Repair Centre care about the environment and have Arctick Authorisation (AU13481) to reliably and responsibly conduct vehicle air conditioning regas, repair, servicing and inspection.
Don’t wait until the peak of summer to realise your car’s air conditioning isn't working efficiently; contact Rodney's Mechanical Repair Centre today for top-quality service that prioritises your comfort, safety, and your car’s efficiency.
Car air conditioning FAQ
Your vehicle ought to be taken to a reputable workshop such as Rodney's Mechanical Repair Centre regularly to make sure the air conditioning system continues performing efficiently as well as having the mechanics examine the condition of the entire car.
How do air conditioners work?
A car air conditioner system is composed of four essential parts :
- A belt-driven pump known as a compressor to compress and circulate gas.
- A radiator like unit called a condenser to redistribute heat and condense gas to a liquid.
- An expansion device, which could be a thermal expansion valve (TXV) or an orifice tube (subject to the kind of air-con system used).
- Some systems have an accumulator before the compressor to remove moisture from the refrigerant while TXV systems have a receiver-dryer before the evaporator performs the same crucial task. Both of these parts also store refrigerant.
Car air conditioning is designed to pull the heat from the air within the car's interior area and transfer it outside, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air to be redistributed. Hot air is passed across a gas-filled evaporator, where the heat is easily absorbed by the refrigerant (in gas form), effectively removing the heat from the air in the car.
The now heated gas is pulled through the compressor where it is further heated (via compression). The next stage involves the refrigerant being forced through the condenser to extract the refrigerant's heat quickly. The refrigerant, now condensed to a liquid, then moves through the expansion device (either a TXV or Orifice tube), which regulates the refrigerant's flow to the evaporator, changing the high-pressure liquid to a low-pressure mist (gas). A fan blowing over the evaporator's cold fins produces the cold air being blown into the car, and the entire process then begins all over again.
Does the car air conditioner use more fuel?
Yes! Your car air conditioning is using fuel. However, it's actually more fuel efficient to run car air conditioning than it is to have your windows down due to aerodynamic drag. If your air conditioning isn't performing its best, it may use more fuel to run. To avoid this, it's important that you have your air conditioning serviced regularly by professionals, like the ones at Rodney's Mechanical Repair Centre.
What's the cause of the bad smell in car air conditioning?
The damp environment can promote microbes, bacteria and even fungus growth inside the evaporator core. This can lead to nasty smells and possibly even be bad for the health of any vehicle occupants. Although modern evaporator units tend to be more efficient, they have more fins, meaning an increased capability to trap moisture and allow for micro-organism development.
How do I know my car air conditioning is due for a service?
If you cannot remember when your air conditioning was last serviced, perhaps it's time to book in with the team at Rodney's Mechanical Repair Centre. You should also book in if:
- Your air conditioning system is blowing warm air
- There are damp patches or water stains under your dashboard
- Your car air conditioning system smells funny
- Your car air conditioning system is making strange noises
- There is weak air flow from the car air conditioning system
Why does the car air conditioner need to be serviced?
Car air conditioning is designed to pull the heat from the air within the interior area of the car outside, leaving only cooled or 'conditioned' air to be redistributed. This is achieved using a special compound called refrigerant, capable of readily absorbing heat as a gas and quickly losing heat as a liquid.
The compressor needs the right amount of oil in the refrigerant to prevent it from seizing up. Should the air filters be jammed with dirt and bacteria, it will affect the entire system's performance, and it can even cause it to stop working altogether. On top of inhibiting air conditioner efficiency, dirty air filters can cause health problems.
Being exposed to the elements and very diverse operating conditions and being used intermittently rather than being 'Always On' can cause decay of the hoses, connections and seals. A vehicle air conditioning system should be examined regularly to ensure there are no problems or refrigerant loss due to failure or leakage from these points.
Simply by cooling the air in your car under normal running conditions, the air filters get dirty and intermittent use can cause seals to dry and crack, allowing them to leak. Even without leaks, the gas in a car air conditioning system will eventually begin to degrade or evaporate over time. It should be recharged as required to keep the air con system in peak running condition.
How often should a car air conditioner be serviced?
Your automotive air conditioning system needs to be examined once a year for any signs of problems with the seals, hoses and connections and confirm there is no refrigerant reduction over time. Regularly servicing your automotive air conditioner system keeps refrigerant at optimum levels meaning the system does not need to work as hard. This, in turn, protects the system from damage and minimises fuel expenditure.
Can I service my own car air conditioner?
Only qualified mechanics with the appropriate training, like the ones at Rodney's Mechanical Repair Centre, should attempt to service a car air conditioner. Specific licences are required to service or repair some types of car air conditioning systems, especially where re-gas (recharging of the refrigerant) is concerned. Strict guidelines and procedures must be adhered to when handling certain refrigerants, which must always be fully recovered and not allowed to escape into the atmosphere during servicing.
Refrigerant can also pose serious health risks if mishandled. Specialist equipment is also required as the air conditioning system is under extreme pressure and must be pulled into a deep vacuum to remove any moisture, to avoid seriously damaging the system. You can find out more about licensing on the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) Website.
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