Tips for maintaining your cars AC system | Genesis of Palm Springs

One of the attributes of our vehicles that we often take for granted is air conditioning. That is until it stops working. When the AC doesn’t work, suddenly, your vehicle becomes an uncomfortable, stuffy enclosed space. Here at Genesis Of Palm Springs, we are happy to service any air conditioner that is not working correctly so that you can enjoy comfort in your vehicle. However, we also want to share some tips and tricks that will help your AC system continue to function at optimal levels. Here are some of our favorite tips for helping your AC continue to keep you cool during the hot months.

1. REGULARLY RUN YOUR AC

Regularly running your AC helps to provide longevity to your AC system. Running your AC once a week for around 10 minutes will keep the gas pressure up in the system, help to avoid mildew, and ensure that the compressor is working properly. Unfortunately, this means running it at least once a week in the winter. Using the defrost and maximum fan settings is the best way to do this. Using the coldest setting when running the AC each week is also important.

2. TRY TO ALWAYS USE THE COLDEST SETTING

While each car has a range of temperature settings on the air conditioner, the best practice is to use the coldest setting as much as possible. While many may think this is too cold, using the coldest setting as much as possible will save on gas. When using warmer settings, sometimes the system has to reheat the air to the right temperature, making it less efficient. It is better always to use the coldest setting and adjust the fan speed for comfort.

3. DON’T COOL YOUR CAR ON IDLE

In cold areas, many start their car and leave it idling with the heater on to warm it up. Sometimes, people try this practice in reverse, trying to cool down their vehicle before they get in it during the hot months. This is not a good practice. The AC system is at its least efficient when the car is idling. Instead, blast the cold air while driving the car and roll down the back windows to expel that hot air.

4. REGULARLY CLEAN YOUR CAR

Many people don’t know that the cleanliness of your car can directly affect its AC system. If your vehicle is dusty or dirty, the AC is negatively affected. Developing the habit of frequently cleaning, vacuuming, and dusting your vehicle’s interior will improve the AC’s performance and make you feel better about your car. A large part of the interior cleanliness has to do with the cabin air filter. A dirty vehicle will be hard on the cabin air filter that helps clean the air blown out of the AC vent

5. KEEP YOUR CABIN AIR FILTER CLEAN

The cabin air filter acts as the filtration system for the air the AC system blows out. And, if this filter becomes dirty, damaged, or clogged, there are multiple negative consequences. First, the overall AC system runs inefficiently if the cabin air filter is too dirty or clogged. This could cost more gas or wear out other parts of the system. Second, it directly affects the quality of air inside the vehicle. A dirty or clogged cabin air filter could be problematic for your health, especially those with lung conditions. And finally, if the cabin air filter is clogged, you will notice that not as much air is being blown into your car.

6. TRY TO AVOID THE SUN IF POSSIBLE

While this tip may sound impossible, it is important to use discretion and good practices to help prolong your AC system’s life. When possible, use covered parking like a carport or garage to avoid the sun beating down on your vehicle and heating the interior. Even parking in the shade so your car doesn’t heat up too much on hot days can help save the AC system from having to work extremely hard to cool the vehicle.

While all of these tips help to prolong the life of your car’s AC system, if a problem still arises, our expert technicians at Genesis Of Palm Springs are happy to help you stay cool. Some mechanical issues can happen, which is why we are delighted to provide AC system services to our customers so that AC problems don’t hinder them from enjoying the beautiful weather of the Palm Springs Area.