The air conditioning system is an excellent option to cool us down when the temperature inside the car becomes too high. For this reason, it is a fundamental part of our vehicle, not only to regulate the temperature of the cabin, but also because it contributes to safety by keeping the windows closed and preventing the inhalation of polluting gases from the outside.
It is essential to pay attention to the maintenance of the system, so below we will provide you with some tips that can be of great help to identify air conditioning problems and solve them or reduce their impact. Among the negative signs to take into account are lack of cooling, increased fuel consumption and unpleasant odors.
The strange sounds you may hear when turning on the system are due to the fact that the compressor works more frequently, which increases consumption and generates noises that are different from usual. These noises can be due to two reasons: deterioration of the car's interior fan or problems in the system's ducts.
Another common problem is when the vehicle's windows fog up for no apparent reason. This may indicate that the air filter is dirty or blocked. If you try to defog the windows with the system and it does not work, it is possible that the air flow has decreased or, in extreme cases, that the system is no longer working properly, in which case it will need to be taken in for repair.
In some vehicles with high mileage, it is common to smell bad odors when turning on the air conditioning system. This is usually caused by the accumulation of dirt, dust or water, which encourages the growth of bacteria and fungi that generate these unpleasant odors. Another possibility is that the air filter is too old.
A valuable tip to keep your vehicle in good condition is to park it in the shade whenever possible. This is because in times of extreme heat, the interior of the vehicle can reach temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius, which could damage internal and mechanical components.