

All are connected to each other through tubes or hoses, and each of those connections have seals that can leak - as can the various components themselves. There are several main components in your car’s air-conditioning system, including the compressor, condenser, evaporator, receiver-drier and expansion tube. But if you’re asking this question, things are probably not normal. The refrigerant circulates in a closed system, meaning it never leaks out and doesn’t need to be added or serviced under normal circumstances. This refrigerant - which at one time was referred to as “Freon,” a brand name - can be either a liquid or a gas, depending on where it is during certain phases of the cooling cycle. What may need recharging in your car’s air-conditioning system is the refrigerant that circulates through the system to create cold air. Related: Common Heating and Air Conditioning Problems Why an A/C Recharge Is Needed Let’s take a look at the ins and outs of recharging your car’s air conditioning. This could be occurring because the system is low on refrigerant and needs to be recharged or there is a leak somewhere.

Is it time to recharge your vehicle's air conditioning system? Schedule an appointment at a Firestone Complete Auto Care near you for car A/C recharge and repair services.There perhaps is nothing more uncomfortable than being in a car on a hot summer day with warm air blowing out of the vents when the air-conditioning system is turned on. Maximize your car's air conditioning by visiting a Firestone Complete Auto Care for car A/C recharge service near you.

Further, be aware that adding too much refrigerant can reduce the system's cooling ability and potentially cause the whole system to shut off. Without diagnosing the root cause of the problem, any benefit will be short term at best. Just topping off the refrigerant may or may not bring the cold air conditioning back and if it does bring the cold air back, the question will be for how long because the leak was never fixed. However, adding new refrigerant without evacuating the old, potentially contaminated refrigerant won't ensure that you are getting the best performance from your vehicle's A/C system. There are various types of at-home A/C recharge kits on the market. Why you should leave it to the professionals If it feels like your vehicle isn't blowing as cold as it used to or has stopped blowing cold completely, it might be time to schedule your appointment for an A/C recharge service. The best way to tell if it is time for an A/C recharge is to pay attention to your system's performance. For this reason, there is normally not a maintenance or service schedule for recharging your air conditioning system. Though small leaks may occur over time, they are usually not enough to impact A/C performance. If your air conditioning is functioning as it should, the refrigerant in your vehicle shouldn't leak. How often does a car A/C need to be recharged? If you're experiencing any car A/C problems, it's time to get our car A/C recharge service. These A/C issues could be due to leaking refrigerant. It may take longer than usual to cool down or it might not blow cold air at all. You'll know when to recharge your car's A/C when you notice that the system isn't cooling properly. How do you know if your car's A/C needs to be recharged? Performs a leak test using an approved electronic leak detector.During a car A/C recharge, your A/C system's old refrigerant is evacuated and replaced with new refrigerant to help ensure your air conditioning system is operating properly and keeping you comfortable.Īt Firestone Complete Auto Care, our A/C recharge service starts with the Firestone A/C Performance Check, wherein one of our experienced tire and auto service professionals:
