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Get your car AC ready for the summer

Weak cold air, a musty smell or a clicking sound. A short video and a checklist before the heat arrives.

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  • Video, 1:35

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An air conditioner that struggles in May will give up in August. A check in spring costs less than a compressor in summer.

Signs it needs attention

  • The air is cool but never cold, even on the highest setting.
  • A musty smell when you first switch it on.
  • A click or rattle from the engine bay when the AC starts.
  • Water on the passenger footwell.

What you can do yourself

Run the AC for ten minutes once a week, even in winter. It keeps the seals in the system from drying out. Replace the cabin filter once a year; a blocked filter makes the fan work harder and blows dust into the car.

What we check

We measure the air temperature at the vents, check the refrigerant pressure, look for leaks with dye and a UV lamp, and test the compressor clutch and the condenser fan. If the system only needs a refill, it is done the same day.

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