Summer is Coming!  Check Your Vehicle’s Air Conditioning and Stay Cool on the Road

Imagine being stuck in traffic on a 90-degree day when your vehicle’s air conditioning system malfunctions. With summer heating up, the non-profit Car Care Council recommends that motorists be car care aware and have their A/C system checked to make sure it is working properly.

“As the weather turns warmer, the last thing anyone wants to be is hot under the collar in their vehicle when they are driving to work or on a family vacation,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Making sure your A/C system is working properly will keep you and your passengers cool and safe, making it a very enjoyable summer on the road.”

A vehicle’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) keeps the interior cabin comfortable in any season by providing the right temperature and humidity level. Typical air conditioning (A/C) service by a professional service technician consists of the following steps:

• Our service technicians at Automotive Excellence in Huntington Beach, CA visually inspect hoses, lines, seals and other components for leaks as well as inspect the drive belt for cracks or damage.
• Our service technicians also check pressure to test operation, refrigerant charge and outlet temperatures.
• If a system is found to be low on refrigerant, a leak test is performed to find the source of the leak. Leaking refrigerant heats up a vehicle and damages the ozone layer.

Refrigerant may be added, if necessary, to “top off” the system, although some states do not allow “topping off.”

Our technicians may also check for evidence of refrigerant cross-contamination.

A/C service should also include a check of the compressor’s drive belt and tension.

The Car Care Council & Automotive Excellence also recommends when having a vehicle’s HVAC system inspected, the cabin air filter be checked to make sure air is flowing properly into the car.

Give Automotive Excellence a call to schedule your car’s air conditioning system check!

Keep Your Car Breathing Well: Change the Air Filters

You need clean air to breathe and so does your car, and a vehicle’s air filters make that possible. The non-profit Car Care Council reminds car owners to have the engine and cabin air filters inspected and changed regularly to ensure vehicle longevity and interior comfort.

“Air filters are your vehicle’s first line of defense against contaminants that reduce cabin air quality and negatively impact engine performance,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

“Community car care events held throughout the country reveal that nearly one out of five vehicles is in need of air filter replacement, so it’s evident that motorists often overlook this simple, yet important service.”

The vehicle’s engine air filter traps dirt particles that can cause damage to engine cylinders, cylinder walls, pistons, piston rings and bearings, leading to the engine losing power. The air filter also plays a critical role in keeping pollutants from contaminating the airflow sensor on fuel-injected cars. A normal wear item that requires regular checks and replacement, air filters should be inspected at each oil change and replaced annually or when showing other signs of contamination.

The cabin air filter is responsible for cleaning the air entering the passenger compartment. Under normal circumstances, it helps trap pollen, bacteria, dust and exhaust gases that may find their way into a vehicle’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, compromising interior air quality and damaging the system.

A cabin air filter should not be cleaned and reinstalled. Instead, it should be replaced every 12,000 to 15,000 miles or per the owner’s manual.