JUNE CAR CARE TIPS
Your air conditioning system uses refrigerant to create cold air. The most common reasons car owners lose their cold air have to do with the refrigerant. The first is not enough refrigerant. Refrigerant is a gas in the system, and tiny holes in a hose, seal, or coupler can allow enough to leak out to prevent the creation of cold air.
Another potential problem is contamination. Over time, the inside of the rubber hoses can deteriorate and little bits of rubber can clog up various filters and other critical parts of the vehicle A/C system, preventing proper circulation of the refrigerant. A component could also be worn or broken. So the first step for Honest-1 customers who can’t cool their vehicle properly is a thorough air conditioning inspection, looking for leaks and worn parts. In fact, Federal law requires an inspection before adding refrigerant.
Once any critical repairs are made, refrigerant is added. At the same time, special oil is added to the system. This oil cools and lubricates various components as it circulates along with the refrigerant. If you have a refrigerant leak, you also have an oil leak – and it’s important that both be replenished for proper function and protection of your A/C system.
Sometimes overlooked by car owners is the fact that a worn serpentine belt (which drives the A/C compressor) leads to belt slippage which puts additional strain on the compressor. Replacing your serpentine belt and belt tensioner on schedule at your local Honest-1 Auto Care location will extend the life of your A/C compressor and other critical belt-driven accessories. If your A/C is in the least bit on the warm side, just give us a call and we will schedule a quick inspection for you and get you back in a more comfortable driving experience for the upcoming hot season.