Feeling Problem of Low Cooling or Noise from Car AC System. Tips to Enhance AC Cooling through Cleaning, Gas Recharge, Maintenance Tips
Car AC Maintenance
An Effective and Powerful Car AC Performance is the first pre-requisite, which car owner consider to beat in scorching heat of Summers.
Gone are the days, when AC and Power Steering been considered a feature. Now - its just a pre-requisite by default a standard with the car. However, as the car turns older - the AC Performance Effectiveness tends to deteriorate.
With Summers arriving at its peak and temperature hovering above 40 Degree - its important to know
» How to Enhance Cooling Effectiveness
» Address in Common Problems with Car AC System
» Tips for Ensuring Long Term Performance Reliability of Car AC
Common AC Problems with Solutuions
» Low Cooling - AC Servicing: There is no hardcore principle, that AC Refrigerant gas needs to be refilled every 3 year or so. We are using our Honda City, in its 11 year without any AC Gas refilled and the cooling still effective
Unless a leakage is found, due to which cooling is low. Get all AC Component System inspected first for leaks, before servicing the AC. Once leakage sealers, get the AC Serviced, wherein flushing out and topping back of car AC Refrigerant Gas along with Evaporator Cleaning, Condenser Cleaning, AC Coil Cleaning, Blower Unit cleaning is done . It cost in between Rs 2500 - 3000 across almost all models. Also - ensure Compressor Oil should Mandatorily be replaced when AC been serviced. It costs around Rs 600 to 800 additional and aids in better lubrication to compressor and cooling components of car.
» Noise from Car AC Compressor: If the compressor creating noise, the Workshop may flout you that AC Compressor has problem and may give you estimate of Rs 20K to 40K, but car AC Compressor do not fail like this. It most likely would be the AC Compressor bearing noise or Misaligned AC Tensioner belt, which cost less than rs 1000
| AC Problem | Solution |
| Whistle or Hiss Sound from AC System | Caused to Low AC Refrigerant Gas, causing pressure on compressor. Get AC Gas Refilled in along with Compressor Oil replacement - will cost in around Rs 2000 to 2500 in most of the cars |
| Knocking Sound after Filling up AC Refrigerant | Its due to overcharging AC Refrigerant Gas which is causing frost on hoses, causing knocking sound |
| Squeal, Ticking Sound | Likely be Mislaigned AC Belt or AC Compressor Bearing (AC Bearing cost Rs 500 - 700 only) |
| Cooling there but Mild lower Cooling | Get AC Condenser Clean, Check & replace AC Pollen Filter. If still doesn’t work AC Gas started seems leaking |
| Low Cooling despite AC Gas Refilled in | Car AC Cooling Coil seems either bad or not cleaned Properly. If AC Cooling coil (aka as Evaporator Coil) needs replacement will cost Rs 5000 to Rs 6000 as indicative cost |
| Cooling not at all or very low cooling | AC Gas seems leaked |
Common Issues
How to Keep Car AC Performance Effective in Summers
» Condenser Cleaning: Condenser cleaning is the first level of cleaning. If the condenser was not cleaned for more than a year, its best to get it cleaned. You can check with bare eyes for the debris, dirt on the condenser. If you visit your professional workshop - there are no charges or maximum Rs 200 for condenser cleaning. No need for complete AC Servicing
» Opening of Window Glasses : Do not Switch on AC while turning on the Ignition. Especially during summers, the car develops greenhouse effect and hot air gets cloaked in the cabin. It unncessarily loads in the compressor. Always, get the window down and switch on in fan mode for the first 2 minutes. Get on to AC, only after 2 minutes - so that entire hot air goes out of the car.
» Switching On / Off the AC : Always switch on the AC in Low mode and then increase the fan speed. Also, before turning the ignition off, switch off the AC first and then fan later on, post which car ignition should be turned off.
» Using Cabin AC Pollen Filter : Most of the Hatchback and some Compact Sedan cars do not come with Cabin AC Pollen Filter. Not only it traps in Airborne Pollutants but also prevent accumulation of Moisture which may be a first cause of Corrosion. Effective in long lasting AC Performance by preventing Premature malfunction of the air conditioning components. Has Life of 10000 Kms and costs Rs 350 to 600 on an average.
» Air Mode : Car AC system comes in 2 Modes - Fresh Air and Recirculate Air Mode. Though For best AC effectiveness, preferred mode is Recirculation mode and useful when there is pollution or dust outside. However, do not miss to turn on Fresh Air Mode twice a week or atleast once a week. The Recirculated Air in car can become contaminated to breath in for the passengers and important to change to Fresh Air mode for atleast 30 minutes
New Car Buyers - Manual AC or Automatic Climate Control
We also recieve some queries on Automatic Climate Control. If you get an option of Automatic Climate Control, go for it. It not only maintains optimal cooling environment in car, but also turns AC Compressor off, when cooling exceeds a point. Lesser operation of compressor leads to better mileage as against Car, as against a car in which AC Compressor is continuously on.
AC Maintenance during Winters
AC in Winters : Ensure that even during winters you use in AC for 5 minutes - atleast once in 45 days. It helps the Refrigerant and Compressor Oil Circulation in AC without hardening the hoses. If you do not use AC for a fairly long period of time - you will not get optimal performance when you switch it on during summers
