You assume your car’s air conditioner will never fail on you. It’s one of those things that work perfectly until one day, it suddenly stops. If you’ve ever been greeted by a stream of warm air or a pitifully weak flow of air on one of the hottest days of the year, you’re not alone. It can be incredibly annoying to find your car’s air conditioning is suddenly malfunctioning. This guide will give you tips on how to ensure it stays in good condition, so you’re never met with the unpleasant surprise of an uncomfortable journey.
Symptoms to watch out for
There are some tell-tale signs you can keep an eye out for, so you know when your car’s A/C is about to conk out.
- Strange sounds
In almost any scenario, strange sounds are usually a bad sign. Car A/C systems are no exception. If you hear any noises upon switching on your air conditioner, there’s likely something wrong in the system. The compressor is a vital component of the system whose job is to pressurize the refrigerant as it passes through. This part can become worn and damaged over time and will start to have trouble turning properly. A strange sound is a sign that it needs replacing or professional maintenance.
What you should do:
Luckily, if you experience strange sounds, you may be able to stop the problem in its tracks before it gets any worse. Supercool AC is a company that makes lots of excellent products for auto air conditioning systems. Some of these products contain a special lubricant that contributes to the overall well-being of your compressor and increases its lifespan. If you start using their HFO 1234yf oil, for instance, you’ll be providing your compressor with protection against wear and moisture. Using a good lubricant in your A/C system will ensure that your compressor is protected against natural aging, and you’ll be able to wait much before it needs replacing.
- Weaker airflow
If you notice that the airflow coming from your vents is slightly weaker than normal, don’t be fooled into thinking that this is a problem that will sort itself out in a few days. A weak airflow is a sign that there’s an issue that will only get worse as time goes on. Weak airflow is usually a symptom of a leak somewhere in the system. The whole system relies on a specific amount of refrigerant to be constantly moving through. Each part of the system works to change the pressure and physical state of this refrigerant. When refrigerant is leaking out of the system at any point, the whole process will be ineffectual. If the leak is a serious one, you’ll likely need the help of a professional to take everything apart and replace the o-ring seals that are in place to stop leakages. Smaller leaks can, however, be repaired in a much simpler way.
What you should do:
Supercool’s products also cover small leaks. The moment you notice a weaker airflow, you know it’s time to start using something like their Total Leak Stop. This product is capable of stopping small leaks that form anywhere in the system. It also contains UV dye, so that you’ll be able to detect exactly where in the system you’re experiencing leakage. Plus, it doesn’t contain any polymers. You won’t have to worry about causing any clogs or contamination.
- Funny smells
While you don’t want to hear any strange sounds from your air conditioner, you certainly won’t appreciate it if the system starts emitting weird odors. Unsurprisingly, a bad smell emitting from your air conditioner is a clear sign that something is going wrong in the system. This is usually a symptom of a bacteria buildup in the evaporator, the last phase of the A/C’s cyclical system. Over time, the buildup of bacteria is natural. If it isn’t dealt with, however, it can eventually cause serious problems for your air conditioner. It may eventually stop working altogether.
What you should do:
As with anything that starts to smell bad, you should give it a proper clean. Like anything, the inside of your car’s A/C system will sometimes need to be flushed out and cleaned thoroughly. Supercool has a few fantastic products that will make this process simple and effective. Try the Flow Control Flush Gun or the A/C Flash Flush for amazing, instant results. The flush gun comes with an easy to use hose that will allow you to control flow pressure, effectively removing moisture, contaminants, and acid from the system. The flash flush works incredibly quickly before evaporating. It leaves no residue behind while still removing debris and other contaminants. Using a flushing product will sort out the funny smells you’re experiencing and will ensure that your air conditioner doesn’t break down any time soon.
How to avoid these symptoms in the first place
Of course, if you’re really proactive, there are things you can do to avoid any of the above symptoms before they even happen. Try using a refrigerant with added lubricant to ensure your A/C stays in good condition all year-round. Supercool’s R134a + with Performance Booster and Leak Stopper is an all-in-one product that will help prevent all sorts of issues within the system, while providing you with the refrigerant you need to keep the system running. The system will run efficiently and smoothly while simultaneously acting as a cleaning agent. This is a powerhouse product that will keep things running smoothly all year-round.
Dealing with a broken air conditioner is never a fun task. Because there are so many small things that can go so easily wrong within the system as it ages, it’s best to use products that are tested and trusted to keep your A/C system in the best possible shape.
