With the summer temperatures rising, it is important for vehicle owners to be car care aware and have their a/c system checked to make sure it is working properly.
A vehicle's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) keeps the car's interior cabin comfortable in any season by providing the right temperature and humidity level. Typical A/C service by a professional service technician consists of the following steps:
- Service technician visually inspects hoses, lines, seals and other components for leaks as well as inspects the drive belt for damage or cracks.
- The technician checks pressure to test operation, refrigerant charge and outlet temperatures
- If the system is found to be low on refrigerant, a leak test is performed to find the source of the leak. Leaking refrigerant heats up a vehicle and damages the ozone layer.
- Refrigerant may be added if necessary, to "top off" the system, although some states do not allow "topping off"
- A technician may also check for evidence of refrigerant cross-contamination
- A/C service should also include a check of the compressor's drive belt and tension