The long hot days of summer are close at hand. If you haven't already had your air conditioning system serviced, now is the time to get your vehicle into an auto shop so you can enjoy summer. Avoid the last-minute rush of other drivers waiting to get their A/C serviced at your auto center before heading out on that long-awaited summer vacation.
By understanding how your vehicle's air conditioner works will help you know when it is not functioning properly. Here is a simple explanation of the two main components of an A/C System and how they work together:
- Compressor and Freon -- The compressor pumps Freon (a combination of gas and liquid) throughout the system. The compressed gas is pushed through the system under pressure and is passed through different-sized metal and rubber hoses and an expansion valve that causes the gas to expand and contract.
- Expansion and Contraction -- Expansion and Contraction make the gas very cold. This cold gas makes its way via metal lines into the dash area of your vehicle to the evaporator core, which works like a small radiator, except it has cold gas circulating inside and not hot antifreeze. A small fan sits in front of the evaporator core and blows air across this cold evaporator and then through the vents inside your vehicle.
- Removes Heat -- One of the functions of the air conditioning system is to remove heat from inside the passenger compartment. The Freon does this as it is forced through coils in the A/C condenser (which has small slits or fins) located at the front of the car. The condenser will have an electric cooling fan mounted in front or behind it which pushes or pulls the air through these fins, serving to remove the heat from the Freon.
Typical causes of loss of cooling:
- No airflow across the condenser -- The electric cooling fan motor may not be operating properly.
- Low Freon levels -- Freon level and pressure must be at a specific level.
- Engine Overheating -- An engine that is running hot or overheating has a noticeable negative effect on the air conditioning system, especially if the cooling fans are not operational.
Don't lose your cool this summer! Periodic checks at your preferred auto center make good sense to keep your air conditioner system in great shape.
For help with A/C inspections, or other vehicle issues, contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary's Quality Automotive. Call (308) 381-2295 for more information. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.
The long hot days of summer are close at hand. If you haven't already had your air conditioning system serviced, now is the time to get your vehicle into an auto shop so you can enjoy summer. Avoid the last-minute rush of other drivers waiting to get their A/C serviced at your auto center before heading out on that long-awaited summer vacation.
By understanding how your vehicle's air conditioner works will help you know when it is not functioning properly. Here is a simple explanation of the two main components of an A/C System and how they work together:
- Compressor and Freon -- The compressor pumps Freon (a combination of gas and liquid) throughout the system. The compressed gas is pushed through the system under pressure and is passed through different-sized metal and rubber hoses and an expansion valve that causes the gas to expand and contract.
- Expansion and Contraction -- Expansion and Contraction make the gas very cold. This cold gas makes its way via metal lines into the dash area of your vehicle to the evaporator core, which works like a small radiator, except it has cold gas circulating inside and not hot antifreeze. A small fan sits in front of the evaporator core and blows air across this cold evaporator and then through the vents inside your vehicle.
- Removes Heat -- One of the functions of the air conditioning system is to remove heat from inside the passenger compartment. The Freon does this as it is forced through coils in the A/C condenser (which has small slits or fins) located at the front of the car. The condenser will have an electric cooling fan mounted in front or behind it which pushes or pulls the air through these fins, serving to remove the heat from the Freon.
Typical causes of loss of cooling:
- No airflow across the condenser -- The electric cooling fan motor may not be operating properly.
- Low Freon levels -- Freon level and pressure must be at a specific level.
- Engine Overheating -- An engine that is running hot or overheating has a noticeable negative effect on the air conditioning system, especially if the cooling fans are not operational.
Don't lose your cool this summer! Periodic checks at your preferred auto center make good sense to keep your air conditioner system in great shape.
For help with A/C inspections, or other vehicle issues, contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary's Quality Automotive. Call (308) 381-2295 for more information. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.
