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how to independently maintain your car

One of the most difficult adjustments I had to make after my divorce was learning how to maintain and repair my own vehicle. That was one thing that my husband had always taken care of for me. Since the divorce, I have learned quite a bit about maintaining a car myself. I have picked up a few tidbits of information that has helped me avoid being overcharged for simple things that I can quickly do myself - like jump-starting my dead battery and changing a flat tire. If you need to learn how to independently maintain your vehicle for the first time, take a moment and visit my site.

Car Maintenance: Signs That Your AC Might Need A Check-Up

10 November 2015
 Categories: , Blog

Your air conditioning system is a complicated compartment in your vehicle that should be serviced regularly to avoid any mishaps. But, it never hurts to be even more prepared and informed. So consider the following tips and warning signs that should help keep your air conditioner running.

Simple Maintenance

Your air conditioner utilizes a series of steps to heat up your car using refrigerant and pressure. The amount of pressure within your air conditioner is the main reason why you should make sure you have an auto AC repair professional handle any AC issues. That pressure is intense and may be dangerous to an untrained hand.

But you can consider the following simple tips:

  • You can try to clean the condenser with a clean rag to prevent things like clogs, as these would make it harder for your AC to perform well. The condenser looks like a grill and may be near your radiator or under your vehicle. Check your owner's manual or ask your AC specialist for the exact location.
  • Be sure that the AC's seals and service valves are in working condition and perfectly in place. You can consult your AC specialist or owner's manual, as the location for these compartments vary from AC to AC.

You can also just have your air conditioning specialist deal with these maintenance tasks should you feel more comfortable with a professional taking care of everything for you.

Signs of AC Trouble

Trouble--no matter how much you plan against it--does have a sneaky way of finding you, and it is no different for your air conditioner. The following are just a few signs that you can look out for that might reveal it is time to take your car to your AC specialist:

  • Your fan is not working; this could be due to a blown fuse or defective fan motor
  • The fan is working, yet no cold air is being produced; this could be a sign of a bad compressor or a clogged system.
  • The air is simply not cooling your car down enough. This may be indicating an issue with your v-belt, contamination of your AC's water, or a faulty evaporator.

You should do your best to have your air conditioning specialist check your system out before any issues get out of hand, which could get expensive. But, as you can see, getting to know your AC system and taking care of it with regular maintenance is a wise choice.