Such convenience in the car as air conditioning is not only an element of luxury, but also the first necessity when traveling in the hot season. At this time, you can even feel how the asphalt melts under your feet, almost literally. I immediately want to be on some to freshen up. Of course, most drivers know how to turn on the air conditioner in a car, but do they all know how to use it correctly ?! This question is interesting, entertaining and worth it to study it in more detail.

Not a luxury, but a necessity!

Currently, air conditioning is present in almost every car of foreign or domestic production in the middle price category. And its inclusion, by and large, is purely reflex, like how we always close our eyes when sneezing. Many owners of their vehicles do not even know how refrigeration equipment works. Therefore, there is a high degree of probability that it is operated in the wrong way.

Manufacturers make every effort to ensure that the use of the air conditioner is as comfortable as possible. All the driver needs to do is press the power button and select the desired temperature setting. Everything else the system will do without human intervention.

With all the ease of controlling the air conditioner, there are certain nuances, some of which are known to many drivers. But there are some that are hard to find on your own. Therefore, it is necessary not only to know how to properly turn on the air conditioner in the car, but also to understand a little about its operation.

Creating a favorable and comfortable microclimate means maintaining a certain temperature regime and humidity level. And this applies not only to premises (residential, working, industrial) - some of us spend most of our time in the car due to the specifics of work.

In fact, it is not about achieving the required level of comfort. Back in the distant 50s, some observations were noticed. So, at a temperature of +30 ° C and above, the reaction rate decreases in a person. And for the driver, this is especially important, since situations on the road require increased attention and quick response.

Exceeding the value of +25 °C leads to increased fatigue. And at +10 ° C, hypothermia of the body can occur. Few of us can withstand the effects of temperature, especially its fluctuations. Car air conditioning provides the driver with the necessary level of comfort, which allows him to always be in a cheerful mood.

Air conditioner device

The question of how to properly turn on the air conditioner in a car in the summer is of interest to many drivers, but how it works is no less curious.

Depending on the car model, the air conditioner device is different, but in any case, the main components are:

• compressor;
• capacitor;
• evaporator;
• fan (sometimes several);
• safety valve;
• receiver-drier;
• expansion valve.

Also, in the device of a car air conditioner, two lines can be distinguished:

• high pressure line;
• low pressure line.

Of all this, the most important component is the compressor. This is the most complex unit of the entire air conditioning system of any car. His job is to compress the gaseous refrigerant, which has a low temperature and pressure. As a result of compression, the pressure increases and the temperature rises.

Additional safety devices

Sometimes a number of additional safety devices are included. For example, using a low pressure sensor, the compressor is controlled. When the pressure is less than 2 kg / cm 2, it turns off, and when it reaches a value of 2.3 kg / cm 2, it starts working again. Some drivers are wondering: why does the car heat up when the air conditioner is on? Perhaps this indicates a malfunction of one of the sensors, but in most cases the dirty radiator is to blame.

The duties of the high pressure sensor include turning off the compressor when the pressure in the system rises to 30-34 kg / cm 2, and turning it on at 26 kg / cm 2. The sensor responsible for the operation of the blowers starts to operate as soon as the pressure in the system reaches 19-22 kg/cm 2 , and turns off as soon as the pressure drops to 14-16 kg/cm 2 .

There may also be a compressor temperature sensor, which is located on its body. Upon reaching 90-100 ° C, it turns off the electromagnetic clutch. In some models, instead of a whole set of sensors, combined elements can be installed that can perform several tasks.

Receivers-driers can also be equipped with a protective system in the form of a safety valve with an easily alloyed insert. Everything works as follows: as soon as the temperature of the device rises to 90 ° C, the insert melts and the refrigerant comes out.

The principle of operation of the equipment

To solve the question of how to turn on the air conditioner in the car, it is worth drawing a parallel. According to the principle of operation, a car unit can be compared with a similar household appliance that is present in every kitchen. It is based on a well-known regularity by physicists: the substance evaporates - thermal energy is absorbed, and when the substance, on the contrary, condenses, heat is released.

One has only to press the button to turn on the air conditioner, as it works, which causes the pressure plate to be magnetized to the pulley, and the system starts to idle. The pulley, in turn, is connected to a belt through which rotation is transmitted from the crankshaft. Thus, when the engine is running, it always rotates.

What is happening at this moment? The compressor begins to work, which compresses the refrigerant and directs it to the encoder, thereby creating pressure in the system. There, under the action of a fan (one or more), it is cooled and condensed, after which it enters the dryer, where it is filtered. The purified freon bypasses which controls and regulates the level of refrigerant overheating. Perhaps this knowledge will help in solving the problem that drivers often talk about: "I turn on the air conditioner, the car stalls."

Further, the gas through the pipeline enters the evaporator. And since freon is already under low pressure, it has a low boiling point. And as you can understand from the name of the device, the refrigerant begins to evaporate in it, that is, it changes from a liquid state to a gaseous consistency. At the same time, heat is actively absorbed.

As a rule, the evaporator is located directly under the instrument panel. Then the fan comes into play, which directs the cooled air into the cabin through the vents.

After the refrigerant evaporates, it enters the compressor, and the cycle repeats over and over again an infinite number of times. Knowing this, you now need to use the car air conditioner more competently.

Air conditioning then and now

The refrigerant fills the entire air conditioning system of the car. At first, R12 freon was charged into the system, but later it was found that it was unsafe for humans. This problem is more serious than another question that many drivers have: when the air conditioner is on, the car twitches. Therefore, I had to look for an urgent replacement, which was not long in coming - freon R134a. True, the new refrigerant is less efficient, but it does not pose a danger to the human body.

Due to the fact that the new gas has an increased fluidity, the work of engineers has become much more complicated. In addition, the novelty has finally put an end to the possibility of using the old R12 freon. This is because each refrigerant uses a different oil to lubricate the compressor. Mineral oil was used for the old refrigerant, while R134a freon requires a polyalkylene glycol lubricant. Thus, freons of the old and new generation are incompatible with each other.

To avoid any problems, manufacturers place a special sticker under the hood cover, which indicates the brand of refrigerant. And to make sure there is no confusion, these labels are of different colors. Freon R134a is identified with a green color, and R12 with a yellow tint.

Proper operation of the air conditioner

In the heat, without air conditioning, it is impossible to comfortably travel by car. How to turn on the air conditioner in the car, and do it right every time? First of all, make it a rule that you should only park your car in shaded areas. Finding the perfect spot every time is unlikely, but if possible, you should always park in the shade. It doesn't hurt to know, if possible, where she will be at a certain point in time.

If the parking lot is directly under the sun's rays, then usually in the morning the car will be in the sun, and in the afternoon with a high probability there will already be a shade.

When parking in an open parking lot, you should use special protective equipment that covers the windows. This will avoid excessive heating in the cabin. But what can be done if the car is still very hot? In this case, you cannot immediately turn on the air conditioner - you must first ventilate the interior. To do this, just open the windows and take a little ride. A speed of 10-15 km / h is enough for hot air to leave the car in a hurry.

It is equally important to turn off the air conditioner correctly!

It is important not only to use the air conditioner correctly - it is necessary to turn it off correctly. Then, probably, you won't have to think about why, when you turn on the air conditioner, the car stalls. And first of all, it is worth remembering that upon arrival at your destination, do not immediately turn off the engine, as this negatively affects the operation of the air conditioning system. And to save it, you need to follow simple rules:

• After stopping the car, the first thing to do is turn off the air conditioner, let the engine run for a while. Although it is better to do this at the entrance to the destination - the air will still remain cool for a sufficient time.
• After the air conditioner is turned off, the fan must be left on.

Regarding the last point - the included fan allows the evaporator to dry. Otherwise, the development of various bacteria, including moss, cannot be avoided. This, in turn, can lead to the formation of an unpleasant odor in the cabin, and as a result, diseases of the respiratory system will not be long in coming.

Maintenance Issues

Do not neglect the maintenance of the air conditioner. Namely, to regularly replace the filter, as well as monitor the condition of the capacitor (aka radiator). If necessary, clean it with compressed air. In addition, use antibacterial agents annually to clean the air conditioning system. Otherwise, the following situation is not ruled out: when the air conditioner is on, it drips under the car.

From time to time it is necessary to change the refrigerant itself, which is done only in a specialized service. In addition, it is advisable to purchase only original parts.

Cautions

When using the air conditioner, it should be remembered that the operating refrigeration equipment takes part of the engine power, resulting in increased fuel consumption.

Temperature fluctuations also deserve close attention. If the temperature is high outside, do not turn the interior of the car into a refrigerator. The human body does not tolerate serious changes. In some cases, you can lose consciousness, once again in hot conditions.

It is enough to maintain a temperature of 24 ° C in the cabin. In this case, the driver will always remain dry and save himself from health problems. After reading the material, how to turn on the air conditioner in the car will no longer be a problem. And the device will be safe, and the driver and passengers will be healthy.

The warming of the climate, which has been talked about so much lately, has led not only to the appearance of snowless winters, but also to abnormally high temperatures in summer, when the bar on the thermometer scale often rises to forty degrees. We can say that the drivers were the first to feel all the delights of the climate characteristic of the southern regions. If 50 years ago, to create a comfortable microclimate in the cabin, it was enough to have a conventional ventilation system (in conjunction with a slightly ajar window), today it is becoming practically useless. And it’s good if in a car - in its absence, the driver will have a hard time, especially when driving in dense city traffic, where the average speed rarely exceeds 20 km / h, and therefore open windows not only do not bring saving coolness, but also cause in the interior of burning and dust.

Instructions for using the air conditioner in the car.

Of course, having a car air conditioner is not a panacea, but if used correctly, it can make life on wheels easier for many years. On the contrary, non-compliance with the rules of its operation can cause a quick failure, as well as affect the health of people in the cabin. Knowing the features of the operation of automobiles will also help to avoid unreasonable costs for gasoline / diesel fuel, which in modern conditions is also considered an important factor.

The importance of following car climate control tips is increasing as automakers gradually make their presence the de facto standard, equipping even frankly budget models with air conditioning.

How car air conditioning works

Choice of refrigerant

Much of the trouble-free operation of an automobile air conditioner depends on the correct selection of the refrigerant. Of course, in the case of buying a new car, you do not need to worry about this. In any case, until the moment when you need to refuel the climate system.

You need to know that for a long time, R12 freon was used in all air conditioning systems (not only automobiles). However, after the influence of anthropogenic factors on climate warming was proved, scientists found that freon is sufficiently responsible for the destruction of the ozone layer, and in the 90s of the last century it was decided to stop using this volatile substance. At normal pressure and temperature, it is in a gaseous state, and R12 is lighter than air, so it rises to the upper atmosphere without any problems.

Freon R134a, which came to replace it, is environmentally less dangerous, although it is somewhat less efficient. Currently, all climate systems are filled with it, including car air conditioners. However, cars manufactured before 1993 operate on R12 freon, and structurally, first-generation auto-air conditioners differ markedly from modern ones - it is not possible to remake them outside the factory workshops.

But this is not important: the joint use of these two refrigerants is unacceptable.

Possessing a different chemical composition and, accordingly, physical properties, they require specific conditions for their work (the main parameter is the working pressure in the system). Mixing them is impossible for other reasons. In particular, on older cars, hoses made from ordinary rubber are used in climate systems. Getting on them freon R134a will cause corrosion of the material. Therefore, modern air conditioning systems use nylon braided hoses that are neutral to R134a.

The search for new, more environmentally friendly and efficient refrigerants continues, and scientists have already announced the emergence of the next generation of refrigerants - freon R744, which is characterized by even greater environmental friendliness. This was achieved due to more extreme conditions for the use of this refrigerant in climate systems (meaning working pressure). The prospects for the transition to the use of this material in air conditioning systems look quite significant, but due to the complexity of the design of air conditioners, one should not expect this to happen tomorrow.

Proper methods of refueling a car air conditioner

We have already talked about the incompatibility of different refrigerants, but in some cases exceptions are allowed. In particular, if your car's air conditioner is filled with R12 freon, then in case of its significant leakage, refueling with a more modern and environmentally friendly R134a is possible. In this case, it is necessary to replace the receiver-drier, as well as to thoroughly flush the system, followed by drying. This is a rather expensive operation, so it is much more profitable to look for a service station that has stocks of old refrigerant to top up your car air conditioner.

Regarding the frequency of refueling, the following can be noted:

• for new vehicles, this operation should be performed every 2 to 3 years (if there are no leaks);
• if you have a car with high mileage, freon losses due to evaporation and microscopic leaks in the circuit will increase. Therefore, regardless of the presence or absence of obvious problems, refueling should be carried out much more often - once a year or six months.

We should not forget about the presence of oil in the refrigerant - in the absence of a full-fledged lubrication system in the car air conditioner, it is it that is responsible for lubricating seals and other parts of the climate system, extending the life of the device. When choosing a car service for refueling an air conditioner, you need to give preference to those service stations where this procedure is provided in the form of a specialized service. In any case, highly specialized car services will perform this work better than specialists involved in “a little bit of everything”.

In the latter case, there is a risk of undercharging, which threatens, due to the reduced freon pressure, with an increased load on the compressor, which ultimately leads to accelerated wear of its parts and premature failure. On the contrary, refueling a car air conditioner with more freon than is necessary, threatens with more unpleasant consequences, up to the explosion of the circuit. The following factors detrimental to the car's climate system depend on the quality of refueling:

• excess oil in the refrigerant;
• ingress of air or water into the refrigerant;
• contamination of the system with dust, dirt, other foreign particles.

If you see that at the selected service station, pressurized cylinders are used to refuel air conditioning systems, and ordinary scales are used to weigh the required amount of freon, leave immediately, because such refueling will not lead to anything good. For this operation, modern high-tech equipment is used. Ignoring the recommendations regarding refueling the car air conditioner threatens with costly repairs.

Self-diagnosis of an air conditioner

Knowing how to properly use the air conditioner in the car does not mean at all that it should not be looked after and its components and parts should not be taken care of in time. Typically, car owners perform this procedure in early spring, on the eve of the high temperature season. A very important factor affecting the quality and durability of the climate system is the amount of freon in the system. The lack of refrigerant is fraught with such troubles as insufficient cooling of the air in the cabin, as well as an increased load on the compressor, as a result of which it wears out and fails much faster.

The reason for the insufficient level of freon may lie both in its undercharging and due to depressurization of the circuit (for example, when microcracks appear on the condenser housing, if the tubes through which freon circulates are damaged, when gaskets wear out, etc.). Such a nuisance can be diagnosed independently, without resorting to the services of specialists. First of all, you need to find out the level of refrigerant recommended by the automaker. It is usually indicated in the vehicle owner's manual in milliliters.

There are several ways to check for low freon. To begin with, listen for a clicking sound in the compressor area when the air conditioning system is turned on. If available, you can safely go to the nearest car service to refuel the air conditioner. The absence of clicks does not mean that everything is in order with the amount of freon in the system. The second way to diagnose this malfunction is to visually inspect the tubes of the device. If you find oil stains in any place, this means that there is a freon leak.

The appearance of unpleasant odors in the cabin indicates that the evaporator requires antibacterial treatment. As a result of long-term operation, favorable conditions are created in this unit for the reproduction of bacteria and microbes that accumulate on the radiator tubes. When the climate system is turned on, the air flow, together with the waste products of this microflora, rushes into the cabin, forming a persistent unpleasant odor. It should be noted that inhaling such air is dangerous to health. Therefore, the disinfection of the evaporator along with the replacement of the filters of the car air conditioner is an operation that should be performed without waiting for the stench to appear.

We have already said that during long-term parking in the heat, the simultaneous inclusion of the stove and air conditioning helps a lot. But not on all cars this mode is available. In such machines, the algorithm for quickly creating a comfortable microclimate involves the following steps:

• opening all doors for 3 - 5 minutes in order to ventilate the cabin;
• close the windows, turn on the air conditioner to "one", let it work for a few minutes;
• after the specified time interval, we switch the cooling mode to the maximum.

Note that the greatest effect will be achieved when the car is moving, in this case the air conditioner will be assisted by the oncoming air flow. If the temperature outside the vehicle exceeds 25 degrees, when you turn on the air conditioner, you should not immediately direct the air flow to the windshield - as a result of a sharp temperature drop, microcracks may form, which will inevitably expand over time. The correct cooling mode implies the use of maximum power only at the initial stage - as soon as a comfortable microclimate is established, the temperature of the climate system should be lowered if you do not want to catch a runny nose or sore throat.

If we talk about the specific temperature that can be considered the most comfortable, then a lot depends on the preferences of the vehicle owner. If you believe the doctors, that this is considered a temperature range within 20 - 22º C. It is these figures that you should be guided by after the car has cooled down after a long stay in the sun. On older models of air conditioners that do not have the ability to set accurate digital performance characteristics, the optimum temperature is set experimentally (usually this is the middle position of the temperature gauge).

There are some peculiarities in relation to the choice of the air supply mode depending on the climatic conditions in the cabin. So, if the fastest possible cooling of the air temperature is required, the internal circulation mode should be used. This will limit the access of air to the cabin from the outside, and in a closed system, heat transfer occurs much more efficiently. Equally important is the direction of airflow in the cabin. When you turn on the mode of blowing the cabin with cold air, you need to adjust the deflector curtains in such a way as to ensure an even distribution of the air flow throughout the entire volume of the cabin. Note that these tips are relevant for owners of mechanical air conditioners. Modern automated climate systems are able to regulate all important characteristics without the participation of the driver.

Finally, one more recommendation regarding all air-conditioned cars: before the end of the trip, a few minutes before the engine is turned off, turn off the air conditioning system and turn on the stove. This simple technique will dry the air in the ventilation system, preventing the appearance of mold, fungus and condensation.

Car air conditioning is a real salvation for the driver in the summer heat. There is a special type of air conditioning in a car - this is climate control, which takes care of creating and maintaining comfortable conditions in various areas of the cabin, but its basis is still the same air conditioner, only with a more complex electronics system. How to use the air conditioner in the car, I will tell in this article.

Ideally, we would like the air we breathe to be as clean as possible, but in the conditions of a metropolis, and even more so a highway, such a wish, to put it mildly, is hardly feasible. Cabin filters protect the health of the driver and passengers in the car. Therefore, it is extremely important to replace them regularly in order to avoid the accumulation of exhaust gases from the outside in the interior atmosphere.

Correctly this can be done at a service station. This procedure is necessary to remove a colony of bacteria, mold or even moss that can appear in the evaporator during improper and long-term operation of the air conditioner.

Experts recommend annually cleaning the air conditioning system, and the treatment should be carried out with antibacterial agents.

You will learn about unwanted symptoms by an unpleasant smell from the air conditioning system. Don't ignore him. Prolonged use of such a system leads to respiratory diseases, asthma, and allergies. Therefore, cleanliness is an important point not only for the operation of the cabin air conditioner, but also for your health.

The useful function of cooling the air in the summer in the car brings not only the desired coolness, but can cause a cold, so it is important not only to be able to use the air conditioner, but also to follow a number of rules so that its operation does not adversely affect your health. Despite the ease of adjustment, you need to use any car air conditioner correctly. The simple measures that we will give below will help save on the operation of the car air conditioner and be confident in its operation and performance.

1. The first rule of operation is the tightness of the cabin. You should not use the air conditioner if your windows or sunroof are open, so it will only work at idle, of course, if you want to contribute to the fight against global warming, then this is your right, but you will not be able to cool the interior in this way.
2. Note that the car must spend additional energy to work on cooling the air in the cabin, so when the air conditioner is running, fuel consumption increases slightly. Therefore, if possible, try to make your unit get less work, park the car in the shade or use special accessories from thermal heating. This will help to avoid the greenhouse effect in the cabin during long parking.
3. If your car is very hot, open all doors or windows before starting the engine, thus ensuring that the interior is ventilated.
   Then drive slowly with the windows open to improve air circulation. After that, close the windows and turn on the air conditioner.
4. Never set the air conditioning mode to the maximum immediately, the system is not able to instantly give out full power, this will only lead to its premature wear. If you have an automatic air conditioning system, then it will automatically enter the specified mode from the initial minimum position.
5. Save on efficient cooling will help the use of air recirculation mode inside the cabin. In this case, there will be no hot air intake from the outside, but only the one in the cabin is used, which gradually cools the air conditioner to a comfortable state.
6. Always turn off the air conditioner correctly. This should be done a few minutes before the engine stops. The temperature in the cabin will remain comfortable for some time, so you will not feel much difference. Leave the fan running when turning off the air conditioner. This will help to avoid moisture condensation on the evaporator and the formation of puddles under the bottom, which you probably often observed. The operation of the fan will dry the evaporator from excess moisture, so you can resist the formation of mold in the system in such a simple way.
7. Of course, it is necessary to use air conditioning in the summer, but you should not make an Eskimo dwelling out of the cabin, setting the temperature too low, the level of 22-24 degrees is optimally recommended. Remember that at one time you will need to leave the salon, and too much temperature difference between the outside and the cabin air can negatively affect your health, up to loss of consciousness.
8. Do not neglect the annual maintenance of the air conditioner with the replacement of the cooling system refrigerant, filter and oil. Only in this case will its work be long and effective, and, as you know, preventive measures are always less expensive than repairs.
   
9. If your car provides for the simultaneous operation of the air conditioner and the stove, you should use it. Their joint work will reduce the fogging of glasses in the cold season.
10. Do not forget that you need to turn on the air conditioner not only in the heat. It is worth running the air conditioner at least once a month in winter, because long periods of downtime will negatively affect the cooling system. Starting is necessary so that the oil of the refrigerant medium lubricates the elements of the air conditioner. This simple procedure has a positive effect on the durability of components and parts.

Video “Ch do-it-yourself car air conditioner source ”

This post shows how you can clean the air conditioner in a Nissan Almera Classic car in 20 minutes with your own hands using a special tool.

Do you turn on the air conditioner in your car in winter? Why is it needed if the cabin is already so cold? Turning on the air conditioner is necessary to increase its service life.

Air conditioning in the car creates a comfortable atmosphere in the hot season. But you can often hear the question "do you turn on the air conditioner in winter?" from car repairmen. Probably, not. Why is it needed if the cabin is already so cold? This belief saves drivers a few minutes of discomfort under the cool air, but comes at a high cost in the summer when it's time to use the air conditioner and it refuses to work.

Why do you need air conditioning in winter?

One of the important advantages of operating the air conditioner in the cold season is its ability to dry the air, preventing the windows from fogging up from the inside. Surely you have noticed that after warming up the car interior, condensation forms on the windows, which worsens the visibility of the road. Driving with foggy windows is not only inconvenient but also dangerous. By turning on the air conditioner for a couple of minutes, you will get rid of the condensate and will be able to enjoy clean and dry windows.

But turning on the air conditioner in winter is also necessary to increase its service life. So, when the device is turned off, the oil film formed on the walls flows down and lingers only in certain places. This leads to the fact that during prolonged inactivity and subsequent start-up, the air conditioning compressor runs dry for a long time. And this is the reason not only for the breakdown of the compressor (by the way, a very expensive unit), but also for contamination of the entire system.

If you periodically do not turn on the air conditioner in winter, but with the onset of summer, you can find an unpleasant thing - a breakdown or clogging of the system. To resume its work, you will have to spend a lot of money on cleaning and replacing parts. But even this does not guarantee that the air conditioner will work at full capacity.

Turning on the air conditioner for 15 minutes once every one and a half weeks will create conditions for the formation of a film on the entire surface of the compressor, and in summer the system will not suffer from dry friction.

How to turn on the air conditioner in winter?

The opinion that the air conditioner cannot be started in winter is common among drivers for another reason. The fact is that at sub-zero temperatures the system may simply not start. But this problem is easily solved in several ways:

Start the air conditioner after driving - the engine will warm up and the cooling system will start without problems.

Turn on the air conditioner in a closed parking lot or parking lot.

Turn on the air conditioner in closed insulated rooms (garage, service stations.

The air conditioner needs regular cleaning and routine inspection. For diagnosis, it is better to contact a specialist. The service costs about 2000-3000 rubles, but the exact figure depends on the cause of the breakdown. Once a year, preferably in the spring, it is enough to visit the master to assess the "health" of the system.

But you need to service the air conditioner more often - preferably every season and always in the winter. The fact is that in the snowy season, the roads are sprinkled with reagents and salt for better adhesion of the wheels to the surface. These materials settle on the components of the air conditioner, causing them to corrode and break.

The second enemy of the air conditioner is dust, dirt and cigarette smoke. All this greatly pollutes the system and leads to malfunctions without cleaning.

What action should the driver take?

1. Rinse the air conditioner components with pressurized water. After removing the dirt, check the freon tubes for damage. They shouldn't be. If even minor damage is detected, the tubes will have to be replaced to prevent freon leakage. In the presence of corrosion, treat these places with a special anti-rust agent.
2. Check the filter - if it is very dirty, then it will have to be replaced with a new one. Unfortunately, cleaning it is useless.
3. Remove, rinse and dry the evaporator.

If all nodes are serviceable and cleaned, but you notice that the air conditioner is slightly cold, you need to fill the freon. This is done with the help of special equipment in service centers.

So, turning on the air conditioner in winter is necessary to increase its service life and reduce the humidity in the cabin. Don't forget to run your cooling system every 10 days (at least once a month) so that you don't run out of such important equipment in the summer.

Features of the car air conditioning system and general recommendations for caring for it.

Be healthy!

If you use the air conditioner thoughtlessly, you can easily earn a runny nose, or even a sore throat. Even (and especially!) when it's hot outside. Therefore, the main rule - under no circumstances should you blow cold air at the maximum fan speed into your face, head and chest! Although many cheap climate control systems, when set to automatic, do just that. Therefore, in order to avoid a threat to health, it is necessary to transfer them to manual airflow control mode. The safest direction is towards the windshield.

Cleanliness is the key not only to health, but also to saving money.

When the motor turns off and, accordingly, the air conditioner stops working, dew remains on its evaporator - water condensate from the air. Because of this, the next time the air conditioner is turned on, an unpleasant smell of “wet rags” will be felt for several seconds. Therefore, it is useful to periodically turn off the air conditioner a couple of minutes before turning off the car engine, and switch the heating system fan to maximum speed. This will dry out the A/C evaporator.

In addition, when the car is not new, all kinds of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms that are not useful for humans already live in the evaporator. It is customary to combat this phenomenon with the help of various disinfecting and flushing technologies: aerosols for self-use or more labor-intensive flushing methods used at specialized services (up to and including disassembly and dismantling of the system).
In advanced cases, the last option is the only one. Here it is time to remember about the cabin filter: it must be and must be clean. It must be changed every 15,000 km, at least. Or once a year.

Air conditioner efficiency.

The car air conditioner has a very limited capacity. And no matter how you turn the knobs on the panel, it will not be able to “blow” +18 air into the cabin when it is +40 outside. And in general, it does not work for free. This can be verified by monitoring fuel consumption.

Turning on the air conditioner in the heat.

If it’s +40 outside and the car has stood in the sun for three hours, then there’s already frank “sugar” in the cabin. Do not try to immediately cool the car with a regular air conditioner, you need to help it: open the doors and let it air out for a few minutes. If time is running out, you can start driving with the windows down. After a few minutes, they can be lifted and the air conditioner turned on.

Turning on the air conditioner in winter.

This is not only possible, but necessary. Periodically. By the way, this is also written in the car's owner's manual. This is necessary to keep the moving parts of the air conditioning system lubricated: the refrigerant (freon) also carries oil to lubricate the compressor.

Anti-fogging glass.

In any normal climate control system, the air conditioner is forced to turn on when the windshield air supply function is activated. At the same time, air recirculation is also turned off, if it was turned on before, and air is taken from outside. If your car is not equipped with a climate control system, you need to do all of the above steps manually to defrost the windows.

Scriptio: Gennady Zvonov, technical consultant.