Car experts say motorists can keep their cars cool and save nearly £340 on repairs by doing a little DIY with their cars. Graham Conway, automotive expert at Select Car Leasing, said as the weather gets hotter, maintaining refrigerant levels becomes important to regulate vehicle temperature through air conditioning.
Nevertheless, these can often become clogged, resulting in warm air being expelled instead of cool air. This blockage is regularly caused by the buildup of dirt, insects, and debris.
According to experts, cleaning the capacitor regularly can solve this problem and at the same time extend the life of the capacitor. Conway said the main cause of warm air being released from a car's AC system is usually “low refrigerant levels.”
He goes on to say, “Refrigerants are essential to keeping your AC system running smoothly because they replace warm air with cold air while keeping the interior cool.”
For motorists who suspect low refrigerant levels, charging kits can be purchased for just under £30 from car parts stores or Halfords online, The Sun reported. Conway says drivers should refer to their car manual before refilling, as specific motors require different gases.
He advised: “If you're not confident in the work, it's much better and potentially safer to take the car to your preferred garage and have it taken away by a professional.” A strange odor coming from your air conditioner could be a sign of a clogged condenser.
Some drivers may consider cleaning the condenser themselves, but if you make a mistake, you risk a hefty repair bill. The condenser is usually located in front of the radiator and also helps expel warm air from the vehicle.
Another cause of warm air blowing out of your air conditioner could be a clogged cabin air filter, Graham said. This filter is located behind the glove box and if damaged can create unpleasant odors inside your car.