Having air conditioning in your car can be a lifesaver during the summer months. Whether you’re driving down to the beach, embarking on a summer road trip, or simply popping to the supermarket, having car air conditioning can be the difference between a comfortable ride or an unbearable journey. But how effective is air conditioning in the winter months, and should you be using your car’s air conditioning when it’s cold outside?
Using your car’s air conditioning in winter
The air conditioning in your car isn’t always your first priority, and as it isn’t checked as part of your MOT test, it can be easy to forget about it. By using it consistently, throughout all seasons, you can prevent it from seizing up - which it would otherwise likely do if left until the warmer seasons. When not used for long periods of time, the air conditioning system’s circulation starts to suffer; so, by using it regularly, you’re saving yourself money on any repairs that might crop up due to lack of use.
Now, of course, we’re not suggesting that you have the cold air setting on in December necessarily. But rather that you start utilising the warm setting. The warm air from the system is an ideal way to demist the windows and windscreen during the winter; this is because the air from the vents is dry air, which acts as a dehumidifier in your vehicle.
Air Conditioning Recharge
Your air conditioning system requires refrigerant gas to keep it in working order. By keeping your car’s air conditioning working consistently throughout the year, you’ll be able to identify when your air conditioning needs re gassing as soon as it needs it. This saves you from the possibility of your air conditioning breaking down during hot summer drives when you might need it most.
It’s recommended that you plan for an air conditioning recharge every 2 years, and that you consider recharging as part of your regular car maintenance. Regular air conditioning re gassing helps to keep your air conditioning system working smoothly, as well as ensuring that all the components of the system remain lubricated for correct function.
While it might be tempting to try and recharge your car’s air conditioning yourself, it’s better left to a professional. The process needs to be performed carefully to ensure that all old refrigerant gas and oil from your system has been removed, before the right amount of new refrigerant and lubricant replaces it. A vacuum test to ensure that there’s no damage to your air-con system which could cause a gas leak is also crucial.
At MKD Automotive, it takes no more than an hour for our trained technicians to expertly complete the recharge process. They’ll even show you the difference between your air conditioning before and after the recharge.
Recharge your Air Conditioning with MKD Automotive
If you aren’t particularly knowledgeable about air conditioning re gassing, it can be easy to feel like you’re out of your depth. You can learn more about air conditioning recharging on our air conditioning service page, or we offer an air conditioning recharge or servicing as well as a free air-con performance test. You can book both of these online, or you can visit MKD Automotive.