A/C Service
Although it is important for a vehicle’s A/C system to be in prime condition all year long, it is obviously a more pressing matter as the weather warms up. The last thing you want is to get in your car and find that the air conditioning is no longer working properly. AC is crucial to ensuring that you get to your destination comfortably and without any stress or anxiety.
At Ethan’s Honest Automotive, we are proud of our service department and the work that we do. If you are worried about your air conditioning unit, come in and talk to us about what is going on. We’ll make sure your car stays in the best possible condition at all times.
When Should I Have My A/C Looked At?
There’s no specific timeline to follow here. If you get in your car and you feel good after turning on the air conditioning, you don’t need to bring your vehicle in for an inspection. However, if the AC just isn’t getting the car cold enough, or if you are almost at your destination before you finally start to cool off, you need to have the car looked at. We’ll figure out what is going on and have you back on the road, cool as can be, in no time at all.
Should I Be Worried That My A/C Is Blowing Warm Air?
Warm air is certainly a warning sign that things aren’t working exactly as they should with your air conditioning system. It’s hard to say exactly what might be wrong; for example, the problem could be a blown fuse, an air conditioning leak or an issue with the compressor clutch. Come into Ethan’s Honest Automotive and let us examine the issue more closely so we can help you.
How Do I Know When My A/C Needs To Be Recharged?
There are several warning signs that indicate that you need to give your A/C system a boost. The first is that the car stays warm even when the air conditioning is on. This is fairly easy to notice, and most people will realize right away when there is an issue. The next way to determine that there is a problem involves the A/C clutch. When your air conditioning is on at full blast, you can hear the clutch if you listen closely. If the clutch does not engage, the air conditioning won’t work. Finally, if the refrigerant is leaking, you need to take the car to a professional to have it evaluated. You’ll know that something is going on if you see refrigerant gathering under the car. At some point, the air conditioning system will stop working altogether.
It is important to take care of your vehicle if you want it to run well for a long time. The A/C system should be properly maintained and serviced when necessary. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to our licensed mechanics and see what they would recommend. We’re happy to help ensure that your car stays in good working order, so don’t hesitate to call us today!
FAQs About AC Service
There are a few common problems that you may find with your vehicle’s A/C system. The most common is that it is leaking refrigerant. Often this occurs because of a bad hose connection. Condenser problems, especially blockages, are also very common.
If you are experiencing any signs of a damaged A/C system, contact the professionals at Ethan’s immediately. We will ensure you are driving comfortably again in no time.
If you are looking into recharging your A/C, you may have come across the names R-134A and R-12. R-12 is more commonly known as Freon. This was the refrigerant primarily used in vehicles until the mid-1990s. At that point, it was banned by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).
After the banning of R-12, the auto industry moved to R-134A. This type of refrigerant does not have the harmful chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) that was damaging the ozone layer. R-134A is now the standard for the U.S. auto industry. However, it is not the only refrigerant on the market. Some vehicle models can also use a new formula, HFO-1234yf, which is even more environmentally-friendly.
The most common service we perform on a vehicle’s A/C is recharging the refrigerant. Even when the A/C is running well, the refrigerant could be low. If the refrigerant is low, it could cause damage to the A/C system. You don’t want that.
Although there is no specific timeline for A/C maintenance, you may want to bring in your vehicle every other year, or even yearly. This regularity gives our expert technicians the chance to find any problems with you’re A/C system before they get out of hand.
Regular maintenance on you’re A/C ensures that little problems do not turn into big problems. An A/C can blow reasonably cold air with only an 80% charge. Thus, you cannot just go by the temperature in your vehicle. There may be a problem that you are not even aware of.
At Ethan’s Honest Automotive, we recommend bringing your vehicle in regularly for an A/C check. There is no specific timeline to follow here. Our technicians can help you develop a schedule that will work best for you and your vehicle.
Air conditioning is not the most complicated system in your vehicle. But, there are five main parts of the A/C to know. These parts are the compressor, condenser, accumulator, expansion valve/orifice tube, and evaporator.
The compressor is the core of the A/C system. It is the part that pressurizes the refrigerant, senses temperature differences, and powers the belt. The condenser turns refrigerant gas into a liquid. An accumulator (on a vehicle with an orifice tube) or a receiver/dryer (on a vehicle with a thermal expansion valve) also regulates the refrigerant and its movement through the A/C system. Your vehicle will either have a thermal expansion valve or an orifice tube. They monitor the pressure and temperature in the A/C system and screen out contaminants. Finally, the evaporator cools the air in your vehicle and removes moisture from it.
Any of these parts can wear out or have a problem, which results in A/C problems.
Other services provided by Ethan's include:
|
Windshield Wipers/Washer Fluid |
Wheel Bearings |
|
|
Differential Services |
Coolant Flushes |
Struts |
|
Tune Ups |
Shocks |
|
|
Timing Belts |
||
|
U-Joints |
Ball Joints |
|
|
4-Wheel Drive |