Vehicle Maintenance / AC Tuning
Ah, vehicle maintenance, you got to love it! When do you know that your car’s air conditioning is not functioning properly? When the interior is melting like a Salvador Dali painting? It’s hard to believe that not too long ago, men wore business suits, neckties and even hats in a car with no AC. People used to leave kids in hot cars (probably with a motive). Now, if you leave a child in a hot car, you will likely go to jail. My mother would leave us in the car while she shopped for groceries. One time (and I swear this is true) I saw her come out of the store, hop in a cab and leave. That Oldsmobile was like a cheap babysitter with crank windows and no AC.
There are warning signs to let you know that you need a good AC tuning. You could possibly avoid having your car’s air conditioning fail by performing preventative vehicle maintenance at the first sign of trouble. Here are some signs that you may have a problem that needs to be addressed:
- Your car AC is blowing hot or warm air instead of cold.
- You have a disconnected or damaged drive belt.
- There are damages on the refrigerant hoses.
- There is oil on some of the AC components. This is a sign that you are experiencing refrigerant loss.
- The compressor shows signs of failure such as a paint damage, rust, or off-center drive hub.
- The drive belt seems to be squealing or slipping while the A/C controls are on maximum.
- The air conditioning system does not seem to stay on steadily for a long time, and may show on and off cycles every few minutes.
- The condenser fan seems to work with varying and unstable speed and volume.
Since 2000, most vehicles have a cabin air filter (sometimes known as Pollen Filter). It should be replaced once a year, after all it filters the air you breathe inside your vehicle.
Don’t put off your AC tuning. You should have your car’s air conditioning system checked once a year, preferably before you will need to use the AC. Prevention is definitely the best way to go, but you can also drop by your neighborhood mechanic at any time if you notice something going wrong.
When you take your car in for your annual air conditioning check, your mechanic will perform a system check and inspection. They will thoroughly examine the components for leaks, cracks, damages, and temperature readings. Most car service centers and mechanics can conduct such inspections quickly and then give you a full report, including an estimate. This way, you’ll have some idea of what, if any, repairs or replacements will be necessary to keep you cool all summer long!
Until next week…keep it cool and keep up your vehicle maintenance.
Daun Thompson
Comedienne / Writer / Artist / Airhead Savant
AC Tuning – Comedy Defensive Driving