Be cool when it gets hot: Check that air-conditioning system
12:48
Don't hope your air-conditioning system works when you need it
most. "Keep your cool" with a thorough A/C inspection.
Cool vs. coolant
Before we get into the
nitty gritty, let’s dispel a common misconception: Engine coolant is in no way
related to the A/C system. It’s an easy mistake to make given the word “cool”
contained in “coolant.” But coolant is key to the cooling system, which
prevents the engine from overheating and experiencing a meltdown. Coolant—a
50-50 mixture of water and antifreeze—carries heat away from the engine and
into the radiator, where it is cooled by the passing air or the radiator fan.
The A/C system, on the
other hand, uses a gas/refrigerant to cool your car’s cabin, occupants and
cargo.
Hot time
During extremely hot
days, the A/C system is pushing its limits working to keep your vehicle cool.
This is evidenced by the system’s inability to cool your car as effectively on
an excruciatingly hot day vs. a mildly hot day. Anything working at full
capacity during extended periods will be prone to failure, and such
hot-as-Hades temperatures can reveal previously dormant A/C system weaknesses.
Don’t wait until those
oppressive hot days to gauge how well your A/C works. If you notice it’s not
churning out ice cold air on a normal day, a small leak might be allowing
refrigerant to escape. This should be checked out by your Certified technician because, if the refrigerant becomes
too low, the A/C compressor can’t kick on, essentially leaving your car
with no cooling capacity.
It’s important to note
that the A/C system (unlike other automobile systems) doesn't require maintenance. It either works or it doesn't. The only thing an owner can do to prolong
its life is to run it periodically during winter months.
Another piece of
advice: Don’t be misguided by shops that offer to recharge you’re A/C and send
you on your way. This action simply adds more refrigerant to a leaking system.
Depending on the size of the leak, the A/C likely will work for awhile—a week
or even a summer. Eventually, though, the refrigerant will become depleted and
you’ll be smack dab in the middle of town. A recharge might seem enticing from
a naira-and-kobo point of view, but it really doesn't make long-term sense.
Plus, it’s rotten for the environment.
Rainy woes
Think you can tough it
out and survive the hot weather with compromised A/C? It’s a—pardon the pun—helluva way
to spend the sunny months, but it also could jeopardize your safety when the
weather turns rainy.
That’s because the
defroster engages part of the A/C system to function. If the A/C doesn't work properly, you could be facing a permanently fogged-up windshield come Rainy
seasons. The A/C compressor runs with the defroster to help dehumidify the car,
resulting in the windows clearing faster. This activity also works to prevent
leaks because “exercising” the system allows the sealing substance to remain
soft and pliable.
