How to Check Your Car’s A/C
With the hottest summer months ahead of us, now is a great time to check your vehicle’s AC system. You’ve probably been using your vehicle’s AC system at full blast lately. At times of high temperatures, a well-functioning air conditioning unit is vital for comfort and safety on the road. To ensure your vehicle’s AC is serving your needs, it may also be time for it to be recharged. Find car A/C repair near me at Smith Chevy Hammond!
How To Check Your Vehicle’s A/C System
The most common way to check your vehicle’s air conditioning system is by checking the compressor. You’ll need to locate the compressor under your vehicle’s hood. The A/C Compressor will have a pulley that isn’t spinning but will be surrounded by a moving belt.
To check if the compressor is working properly, start your vehicle and turn on the A/C. If the compressor doesn’t turn on with the compressor clutch turning itself off and on, then it’s time to bring your vehicle in for service.
Your A/C Might Need to be Recharged
Using a compressor to pressurize refrigerant means the A/C system must be completely sealed to function properly. As with anything on a vehicle, these pressurized systems can develop leaks over time. A leak means refrigerant will eventually leak to the point that the A/C will no longer produce cold air. When the pressure level reaches a certain low point, the system must be recharged with the pressurized refrigerant to function properly again.
Signs Your AC Needs to be Recharged
- Loss in Cooling Capability: The most obvious sign, an inability to cool air properly indicates a need for recharging right away. Once the amount of pressurized refrigerant drops too low, it will begin to impact the entire operation of the system. If you notice the air is not blowing as cold as it was or not at all, it’s time for a recharge.
- AC Clutch Fails to Engage: When your AC control is set to the highest coldness possible, you should hear the click of your AC clutch engaging and the whirr of the air. The clutch engages with a signal from the pressure switch to read the pressure level of the system. If this level drops too low, the pressure switch won’t activate, meaning the clutch won’t engage. When the AC clutch doesn’t engage, the system will not even be able to circulate the low amount of refrigerant. Your system will likely not work at all.
- Visible Signs of Refrigerant Leaks: The most serious sign of a need for a recharge is spots of greasy film on any of the AC components or fittings or any pools of refrigerant underneath your vehicle. This means a leak has developed and refrigerant is being lost, which will continue until the system no longer functions.
Schedule Smith Service
Figuring out how to recharge car AC is best left to the professionals. Bring your vehicle in for excellent auto service Indiana. At Smith Chevy of Hammond, we are here for the lifetime of your vehicle. We do this by offering service and maintenance on your vehicle with our highly qualified service technicians. We are a Chevrolet service center you can trust to take care of your vehicle’s needs for as long as you own it. Our technicians are part of a network of over 35,000 factory‐trained Chevy technicians across America. They were trained by Chevy, so they know every Chevy vehicle inside and out.
Visit Smith Hammond!
Looking for a Chevy dealer near me? Visit Smith Chevrolet today for all your needs, whether you’re looking for a new or used car, need to schedule service with our Smith Chevy Parts department, or want to trade-in your vehicle today! At Smith Motors, our unmatched service and diverse Chevrolet inventory have set us apart as the preferred dealer of Hammond residents. Stop in today to discover why we’re the most trusted Chevy dealer in Northwest Indiana! Schedule your Smith service appointment now!
