How To Improve Your Car’s AC Performance

The AC is among the essential features of a car. The major function of the car AC is to cool the air within the car. For many drivers, it’s just unseemly to ride without the AC on. This is quite understandable, especially for people living in hot regions like the northern part of Nigeria. In hot weather, the AC does not only provide cooling comfort, but it also helps to reduce the risk of heat-associated problems like heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Your AC gets to work most of the time, especially if you are someone who drives often or engages in long-distance journeys. This makes it important to be aware of ways to improve your car’s AC performance. When your AC performance is increased, this, in turn, makes it more effective in cooling your car, reduces fuel consumption and makes it last longer.

Below are ways to improve your car’s AC performance;

1. Turn On Your Ac While Driving

Because of the heat that builds up inside the car, many drivers are quick to immediately switch on the AC before they start driving. However, this habit can weaken the performance of the car. A car’s AC works better when you start it while driving because the AC compressor is able to run faster with the rotation of the engine’s crankshaft. This way, the AC is not overworked and you enjoy a cool ride.

2. Check The Refrigerant

The refrigerant is important to the functioning of the car. A shortage of refrigerant will result in your AC blowing hot air and result in poor AC performance. Continuous usage of AC will lead to a gradual decrease in the refrigerant. To ensure your AC maintains its cooling effectiveness, regularly check the refrigerant level and refill it anytime it’s low.

3. Ensure The Ac Condenser Is Clean Always

For most cars, the AC condenser is usually located right in the front of the car, just behind the grille. Being an essential component of the AC system, the condenser is responsible for re-cooling the AC’s refrigerant by expelling the excess heat into the passing airflow. Due to its location and function, the condenser can get clogged with diets and debris and eventually build up to reduce the AC’s performance. To prevent this, regularly keep the condenser clean.

4. Make Use Of Window Shades

Window shades help to limit the intensity of sun rays that can enter your car’s interior. The more sunshine rays enter your car, the more heat builds up and the harder your AC has to work to keep your interior cool. If this continues, your AC can get overworked, thus limiting its performance. A cheap and easy way to avoid this is to have window shades installed in your car.

5. Instal An AC Curtain

If you are the only one riding in a large car-say an SUV or a minivan- it can be considered wasteful to turn the AC on to cool empty seats. This is where an AC curtain comes to the rescue. With an AC curtain, you can cut out the area inside that needs to be cooled. Using a curtain will make you get a cooler temperature faster and reduce work stress on the AC.

6. Park Under The Shade

When you need to park your car, it’s wise not to park under the sun.  Excessive heat buildup within the car’s interior is usually because of direct exposure to sunlight. When this happens, your AC will have more work to do to reach a cool temperature. Over time, this can reduce the AC performance. When you have to park, endeavour to park under a shade; away from sunlight. If there’s no shade nearby, you can slightly lower your car windows to enable air circulation.

7. Inspect The Ac Filter

Problems with the AC filter are probably the frequent cause of low AC performance. As the name implies, the AC filter removes foreign objects such as dust, dirt, and pollen from being pulled into the system. When foreign objects build up, the AC works harder to push out cool air. To prevent weakening the performance of your AC, regularly check the AC filter, and clean or replace it when necessary.

8. Get Your Car Serviced

A well-maintained vehicle will yield better performance. At regular intervals, you should have your car and the AC inspected and serviced by professionals. Car professionals or mechanics are able to ensure components and hoses are operating properly, check for any leaks and damage, and have them repaired or replaced if necessary.

CONCLUSION

Your car AC can serve you better if you take measures to improve its performance.