After finally saving enough money for a down payment on a new car, I was really excited about customizing it and really making it my own. I spent a lot of time going through and thinking of different ways to make the vehicle unique, and it was exciting to see how far it was able to come. I completely replaced the seat covers, overhauled the electronics, and gave the engine a serious tune-up. When I was finished, the car ran like a gem, and it looked even better. This blog is all about enjoying your new vehicle and not taking great features for granted.
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Many shops offer an AC recharge service for free or at a nominal cost, but does your air conditioning system need this routine maintenance? The answer, as with many automotive problems, depends. Running an air conditioning system with improper system pressure will not only fail to keep you cool, but it may also damage expensive components.
On the other hand, air conditioners operate as a closed-loop. This design means that they do not consume refrigerant when working correctly. If you need to recharge your system routinely, then you have a more severe problem that requires attention. Keep reading to understand why you shouldn't ignore a low refrigerant pressure level.
The Role of AC Refrigerant
The refrigerant (R134a in most modern vehicles) in your car acts as a heat transfer medium. As it moves from the low-pressure side of the system to the high-pressure side, it carries heat back into the environment. Since the system moves heat away from the evaporator coil located in the cabin, this process helps to keep you cool and comfortable.
Since the AC heat transfer process relies on phase changes from liquid to gas, the system must operate within an acceptable pressure range. Too little or too much pressure will keep the system from functioning and strain the compressor. An AC recharge will get your system working again, but you'll end up right back where you started without addressing the underlying cause of the pressure loss.
The Consequences of Ignoring AC Problems
Although it's logical to think that low AC refrigerant would produce warm temperatures, a low-pressure level can cause your evaporator coils to freeze. Ice on the coils acts as an insulator, so they will no longer efficiently absorb heat. This situation may cause your compressor to turn on and off rapidly, a condition known as short cycling.
The combination of low pressure and short cycling can stress and overwork your compressor. If you continue to operate the system under these conditions, the compressor may even fail. Since this component is the most expensive part of the system, ignoring pressure problems can lead to costly future repairs.
The Best Way to Avoid Catastrophe
If your AC needs a recharge, then the best course of action is to bring your car to a qualified automotive air conditioning technician specialized in auto AC repair. They can examine the system to find the source of the leak. In nearly every case, repairing a leak will be cheaper and more cost-effective over the long run than allowing the system to continue to operate with inadequate pressure levels.
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