Did you know that the refrigerant in your car’s A/C system is meant to last throughout your vehicle’s entire lifespan, provided that it does not leak? Because there’s only a very small amount of refrigerant within each car’s A/C system, this means that you will need a recharge when a leak occurs. Read on to find out how to tell when it’s time to recharge your car’s A/C!
Understanding A/C Recharges
Unless you experience a leak, there’s no need to get your car’s A/C system recharged regularly as you need to do with brake fluid and oil. This used to be the case in the past when A/C systems used up to 5 times more refrigerant than they do now and had to be topped up from time to time.
However, this was not very environmentally friendly as refrigerant is a greenhouse gas, and modern cars’ A/C systems no longer make use of as much refrigerant. Therefore, if your vehicle has not experienced a refrigerant leak, there’s no need to recharge your car’s A/C at all!
You Need to Recharge Your Car’s A/C When…
- Your A/C System Is Circulating Warm Air
When it’s hot out, we all rely on the car’s A/C system to circulate cool air throughout the cabin to keep us cool. However, when it starts circulating warm air instead, this is the most obvious sign that something is wrong. Refrigerant works by soaking up hot air from the interior of your cabin before piping this cool gas back to the compressor. When you have a refrigerant leak, this process cannot take place.
- There Are Noticeable Fluids or Greasy Residue Around the A/C System
Are you noticing unusual greasy residue around the vents of your car’s A/C system or even fluids on the floor? If so, this is an obvious sign of leaking refrigerant. When the source of the leak is not identified and repaired timely, the refrigerant will continue leaking until there’s none left.
- The A/C Clutch Stops Working
The clutch of your car’s A/C system is controlled by the pressure switch. This switch works to control the pressure within the system. When that level falls below a certain threshold, refrigerant is unable to circulate. As the A/C systems can develop leaks at any point in time, you need to be vigilant and take action at the first sign of trouble.
Turn to R & Y A/C Compressors® When You Are Looking to Purchase Replacement Parts
For more than 30 years, R & Y A/C Compressors® has been providing our customers in Florida with compressor kits, condensers, control valves, and a whole range of other A/C parts. You can trust us to provide you with the most competitive prices and a high standard of customer service. If you are unsure what parts you will need to repair your car’s A/C system, simply get in touch with our customer service representatives and we will be happy to assist!