Are You Still Perspiring Even When The Auto A/C Is Turned On?

Your car’s compressor, climate control and auto A/C are designed to keep you as comfortable as possible, shielding both you and your fellow passengers from summer’s oppressive heat. However, sometimes drivers notice that the air quality provided by their air conditioner degrades over time, especially when it comes to coldness. Why does this happen and what can be done about it?

The A/C Might Need To Be Supercharged

If the air being emitted by your A/C isn’t as cold as it should be, this could be a sign that your air conditioner is low on refrigerant. Insufficient refrigerant levels might be a byproduct of time, or they might be the consequence of a leak. The good news is that you can use a thermometer and A/C gauge at home to determine exactly where your refrigerant levels are, and there are also ways to check for a leak. Once the leaks (if any) are repaired and new refrigerant is added, your A/C should perform just as well as it did when you first used it.

Get A New Air Filter

The and A/C air filter is a key component, as it is responsible for preventing pollen, pollutants, dirt and dust from getting into the air conditioner via the heat vents. However, the filter can become dirty or clogged over time, which will eventually obstruct the flow of air which results in the air reaching the cabin not being as cold as it should be. Depending on the vehicle’s make and model, it might be possible to replace the filter DIY, but you’ll need to check the owner’s manual.

Don’t Put Your A/C On Max Immediately

Many drivers have the bad habit of turning their A/C up to max as soon as they start up the car. This is not recommended because it isn’t the best way to cool the car down. When the air conditioner is turned up to max, the vehicle will extract air from within the car, after which it will cool it down and then blow it inside the cabin.

The problem with doing this is that usually, when drivers and passengers first enter the vehicle, the air within the cabin is hotter than the external air. During summer it isn’t unusual for cars exposed to direct sunlight with their windows turned up to reach temperatures of between 131 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas the temperature outside might be between 80 and 100 degrees.  As you can see, by turning your A/C up to max as soon as you get in, you’re forcing the condenser to work harder which puts greater strain on it.

What you want to do instead is leave your A/C button off initially, allowing the vehicle to cool by pulling in air from the outside. Then turn the A/C fan to max but make sure the airflow is configured for the “outside” mode. Once the humid air has been forced out, and then you can turn on recirculate and set the max A/C.