On a hot summer day, your car can feel like an oven. Rolling down the windows can help, but nothing beats turning on your air conditioner and letting it cool your vehicle down when the temperatures are soaring. Even though you might rely on your car's air conditioner to keep you cool, it's probably not something that you think about very often. However, once your air conditioner stops working, you're sure to wonder what went wrong.
Taking good care of your vehicle's air conditioner can help prevent major repair issues, however. To ensure that your air conditioner stays in good shape, watch out for these signs that your AC needs maintenance. If any of them happen to apply to your vehicle air conditioner, now is the time to hire a pro to take a look at your system.
1. There's a Water Leak in Your Car
When your air conditioner is working hard -- such as on really hot days -- it's common for there to be large pools of water underneath your vehicle. If there is an issue with your drain or an accompanying part, however, the water might end up pooling up inside of your car. Along with staining your vehicle's interior and possibly causing a mildew-type smell, this can also be a sign of a drain problem or other issue.
2. The Air is Cool, Not Cold
Your air conditioner should pump out cold air. In fact, the air should be so cold that you can't run your air conditioner on high for too long on your average warm day without getting chilly. If your air conditioner needs coolant or otherwise needs maintenance, however, the air might be cool and not cold. You'll often notice this if your car doesn't seem to be getting as cool as usual, even when your air conditioner is turned on at full blast. A good car AC repair tech, like Modern Auto Air, should be able to get to the root of the problem, such as by adding coolant.
3. It's Too Noisy
Your car's air conditioning system should be relatively quiet and should not cause much of a distraction. If it starts making louder noises, however, there could be a problem with the fan, belt or other component. Ignoring the problem will only make it worse, so take your car to a professional right away.
As you can see, there are a few potential signs of car AC trouble that you should look out for. If you notice any of these signs, don't hesitate to take your car to be looked at. Otherwise, you might find yourself dealing with extreme heat and no air conditioner to remedy it.
Share12 October 2015
Hello. My name’s Samuel Jacobs. I retired from my job as an auto mechanic last year. During my years as a mechanic, I had the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. Some have remained friends to this day. When I was working, there is one thing that I came across at least weekly. That is how uneducated people are when it comes to their vehicle’s tires. Properly cared for tires are crucial to the safety of your vehicle. Without them, your car isn’t going anywhere. If they give out on you while you are driving, there is the potential for serious injury. I’m going to share some tire safety information here. Things like the importance of correct inflation, how to check the tread, when to replace tires, tire rotation, and what to do in case of a blow-out. I hope you find this information to be helpful.