How to Make Your Auto’s AC Colder
Colder, Please!
Most of us know the iconic line from the 1980's song "Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot!" While that makes for some great dance moves, it's not so fun if that describes your driving experience due to a poorly functioning air conditioning system in your vehicle. If you're feeling a little warmer than you'd like to, bring your car to Mad Hatter Auto Repair in Omaha, Nebraska. Our ASE-certified technicians are great at auto AC repair. We're also glad to explain how the system works and give you a few pointers for staying cooler in your ride.
The AC Overview
A car's air conditioner works because it has a gas refrigerant under high pressure. An evaporator removes heat from the air moving through. This allows it to cool before entering the passenger cabin. Heat transfers to the refrigerant. The compressor changes the gas to liquid and moves it through a tube toward the condenser. This compressed refrigerant is then cooled by the condenser before it goes to the orifice tube or expansion valve. (The type system you have determines which of these parts is present in your car.) Next, the refrigerant returns to a gaseous state. The accumulator or dryer removes moisture. The refrigerant/coolant then travels back to the evaporator, and the cycle repeats. As well as keeping you comfortable, your vehicle's air conditioner can sometimes save you money on fuel costs. Although some drivers worry that using the AC requires more gas, the drag from open windows (especially at road speed) can actually cost you more than just turning on the air conditioner.
Making The Cool Colder
Daily highs typically reach into the mid 80's in the greater Omaha area. Imagine how hot it might be when you return to your car after it's been sitting in the sun all afternoon. Before the sweat begins pouring, maybe you could benefit from a few tips to help your vehicle's AC keep you a bit cooler. If a shady parking spot is available, take advantage of it. Also, resist the urge to go straight for the max setting. Use the "regular" AC setting first. Max recycles the air inside the automobile. If it's already blistering, you're initially cooling slower than if you used the normal feature. Surprisingly, you should also avoid using a partially cool thermostat setting. Immediately force the hot air out. Then go for a cold setting. If you don't, your system enters the cycle of repeatedly heating and cooling to maintain that mid-range temperature. Finally, have your car's AC serviced at Mad Hatter Auto Repair where we'll check for enough refrigerant and a clean cabin air filter. If there is a problem, we offer expert auto AC repair.