Be cool when it gets hot: Check that air-conditioning system

Postcard-worthy image plucked from May through August: Five big guys stuffed elbow-to-elbow inside an SUV, heading out on the biggest fishing trip of the year. The storage area is filled to the gills with fishing poles, tackle boxes, “grain-based liquid refreshment” and sandwiches. It’s definitely a tight squeeze.

One more thing: It’s about 70 degrees outside, but for some reason, it feels more like 85 inside this vehicle. The driver cranks up the air conditioner and sets the fan speed to max. It’s now a windy 85 degrees.

The trout aren’t going to be the only ones on the hook if this situation persists: The man at the wheel will be lucky if he doesn’t get gaffed by his fellow sportsmen. Y’see, he neglected to pay heed to the warning signs earlier in the year that his A/C was nearly on the fritz.

Cool vs. coolant

Before we get into the nitty gritty, let’s dispel a common misconception: Engine coolant is in no way related to the A/C system. It’s an easy mistake to make given the word “cool” contained in “coolant.” But coolant is key to the cooling system, which prevents the engine from overheating and experiencing a meltdown. Coolant—a 50-50 mixture of water and antifreeze—carries heat away from the engine and into the radiator, where it is cooled by the passing air or the radiator fan.

The A/C system, on the other hand, uses a gas/refrigerant to cool your car’s cabin, occupants and cargo.

Hot time

During extremely hot days, the A/C system is pushing its limits working to keep your vehicle cool. This is evidenced by the system’s inability to cool your car as effectively on an excruciatingly hot day vs. a mildly hot day. Anything working at full capacity during extended periods will be prone to failure, and such hot-as-Hades temperatures can reveal previously dormant A/C system weaknesses.

Don’t wait until those oppressive summer days to gauge how well you’re A/C works. If you notice it’s not churning out ice cold air on a normal day, a small leak might be allowing refrigerant to escape. This should be checked out by your ASE-Certified Hong Kong Auto Service technician because, if the refrigerant becomes too low, the A/C compressor can’t kick on, essentially leaving your car with no cooling capacity.

It’s important to note that the A/C system (unlike other automobile systems) doesn’t require maintenance. It either works or it doesn’t. The only thing an owner can do to prolong its life is to run it periodically during winter months.

Another piece of advice: Don’t be misguided by shops that offer to recharge you’re A/C and send you on your way. This action simply adds more refrigerant to a leaking system. Depending on the size of the leak, the A/C likely will work for awhile—a week or even a summer. Eventually, though, the refrigerant will become depleted and you’ll be smack dab in the middle of Hotsville, USA. A recharge might seem enticing from a dollars-and-cents point of view, but it really doesn’t make long-term sense. Plus, it’s rotten for the environment.

Winter woes

Think you can tough it out and survive the summer with compromised A/C? It’s a—pardon the pun—helluva way to spend the sunny months, but it also could jeopardize your safety when the weather turns cold.

That’s because the defroster engages part of the A/C system to function. If the A/C doesn’t work properly, you could be facing a permanently fogged-up windshield come December. The A/C compressor runs with the defroster to help dehumidify the car, resulting in the windows clearing faster. This activity also works to prevent leaks because “exercising” the system allows the sealing substance to remain soft and pliable.

So if it seemed like your car wasn’t cooling during our March heat wave, don’t be like that driving fisherman who found himself being used as bait. Have your system checked out now by Hong Kong Auto Service to ensure your A/C is A-OK when you really need it.