Summer is just around the corner, and for those of us in North Carolina it’s already getting started. Make sure your car’s a/c can beat the heat this season by watching out for these warning signs:
Not Blowing Air
When you turn on the A/C and nothing comes out you’ve obviously got a problem. Causes of little to no airflow from your vents can range from a clogged filter to a lack of refrigerant. So if you don't want to spend your summer relying on just having your windows down, take your car to your local shop and have an a/c inspection and recharge.
Weak Airflow
Weak Airflow is similar to no airflow, but it’s something right? Wrong, weak airflow is just on its way to becoming no airflow, so it's best to get it fixed before it stops altogether.
Blowing Hot Air
Air Conditioning that’s blowing out heat? This is a huge sign that it’s time for a/c inspection. No one likes the feeling of being slapped in the face with a heat blast on a hot day. Heated A/C can be caused by a refrigerant leak or a faulty/broken A/C component.
Bad Smell
After you check your backseat for the sandwich you may have forgotten back there, your next indication of a funky smell may be coming from your a/c vents. There are several smells that can come from your vents including; a burning smell, moldy smell, melting plastic smell, a vinegar smell, or a sweet smell. Either way, any kind of smell can be dangerous for you and your car, so best to bring your car to your local shop and have it looked at.
Loud noises when A/C is on
When you turn on your A/C do you hear a clicking, rattling, or tapping noise? Trust us, that noise is not an adjustment your a/c is making. Noises coming from your A/C could be a sign of a clogged A/C unit or a sign that a part of the system is worn out and bound to break. So if you start to hear weird sounds bring it to a professional to diagnose the issue.
Water Stains
Water stains located on the front driver and passenger floor boards can happen when your your A/C drain is clogged. A clogged drain leads to water pooling up and ending up on your car floor rather than draining outside the vehicle. Making sure your A/C drain is clear will also prevent mold and mildew from growing as a result of the wet floorboards.
Visible A/C Leak
Most leaks like an A/C leak are small and hard to spot, that's why we have Dye Tests. With these tests we add dye to your A/C and then trace the dye to the source of the leak. If you do suspect a leak or are experiencing little to no air flow from your vents its best to bring your vehicle in to be diagnosed before the little problem expands to something major down the line.
If you start experiencing any of these signs it means it’s time to bring your car in for a checkup and recharge. Why spend your summer settling for sub par A/C, when it can be Superior?