Car Air Conditioning: Maintenance Tips and Common Problems

Car air conditioning has gone from a luxury to a near-universal feature, and modern drivers rely on it for both cooling in summer and demisting in winter. Keeping your A/C system maintained costs very little and prevents both performance problems and bacterial growth in the system.

Why Does A/C Performance Deteriorate?

Air conditioning systems gradually lose refrigerant through microscopic seals and connections — even a perfectly sealed system loses around 10–15% of its refrigerant per year. As refrigerant levels drop, the system works harder and cools less effectively. Left unchecked, low refrigerant can eventually damage the compressor — the most expensive component in the system.

Annual Regas: Worth Doing

An annual regas — evacuating the old refrigerant and recharging to the correct level — keeps the system performing at its best and protects the compressor. The process typically takes under an hour and is a cost-effective way to prevent larger bills.

Musty Smells from the Vents

A musty or mouldy smell when you run the A/C is caused by bacteria and mould growing on the evaporator — the cold, damp component that chills the air. An antibacterial evaporator treatment (A/C sanitisation) kills the bacteria and refreshes the system. This is worth doing annually, particularly in warm/damp climates like West Yorkshire.

Run Your A/C in Winter Too

Many people switch off the A/C in winter to save fuel. However, running the A/C occasionally in winter (the defroster actually uses it automatically on most cars) keeps the seals lubricated and prevents them drying out and leaking. Leaving an A/C system unused for months accelerates seal deterioration.

Book your A/C service at PKA Automotive in Keighley before the summer arrives. We carry both R134a and the newer R1234yf refrigerants for older and newer vehicles respectively.