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Air Conditioning Service
What is a Car Air Conditioning System?
Nowadays, most cars have air conditioning systems to maintain a comfortable temperature, especially during the hot summer months.
This system circulates refrigerant gas, typically R134a, through a series of components, including the compressor, condenser, and evaporator. The compressor pressurizes the refrigerant, converting it from a gas to a high-pressure liquid.
It then flows to the condenser, releasing heat and returning to a cooler liquid.
The refrigerant then moves to the evaporator, which absorbs heat from the car's interior, converting it to a gas and cooling the air inside the vehicle. This cooled air is then blown into the cabin, ensuring a pleasant atmosphere for the passengers.
Regular air conditioning system maintenance, such as checking refrigerant levels and cleaning filters, is crucial for optimal performance and efficiency.
Did You Know?
Air conditioning is not included in your vehicle's servicing schedule, as it is considered a comfort rather than a safety feature. This means the air conditioning system isn't inspected during your annual or interim service to ensure it functions properly. Schedule a free air conditioning check with Motorcare, and we’ll make sure your system works at its best.
Importance of Car Air Conditioning Services
Maintaining your car's air conditioning system is crucial to keep it working efficiently.
Over time, the system can develop leaks, resulting in the loss of refrigerant gas and reduced cooling performance. Additionally, clogged filters and dirty evaporator coils can further compromise its functionality.
Unpleasant odours and harmful bacteria can also build up within the system, leading to an uncomfortable and potentially unhealthy environment inside your car.
Regular checks and servicing ensure that components such as the compressor and condenser function optimally, preserving the system's overall health and providing a consistently cool and pleasant driving experience.
Why Choose Motorcare Slough?
Motorcare in Slough is your local garage for comprehensive car air con services.
Our skilled technicians conduct thorough inspections, repairs, and maintenance to keep your vehicle's air conditioning system working perfectly year-round.
We use high quality refrigerant and offer services at selected centres to ensure you receive the best care for your car.
How Much is an Air Con Recharge?
The cost of an air conditioning recharge varies based on your car's type of refrigerant gas.
Most vehicles in the UK use either R134A or R1234YF refrigerants.
You cannot interchange these gases; the ports for R1234YF models differ from those for R134A, making it impossible to use the wrong gas.
How do I know which air con gas I require?
R134A gas is common in vehicles manufactured before 2014.
Starting January 1, 2017, all vehicles with air conditioning use the new R1234YF gas, which is more environmentally friendly.
Since then, manufacturers have been prohibited from using the older R134A gas to help reduce global warming.
Vehicles produced between 2014 and 2016 may require either gas, as R1234YF was gradually introduced.
Does my air con need recharging?
Manufacturers recommend recharging your air conditioning every two years.
Since your car or van’s air conditioner isn’t checked during the MOT test and regassing isn’t usually part of a Service, it’s crucial to include recharging in your regular vehicle maintenance routine.
If your AC blows warm air or works intermittently, an AC recharge can restore cold air for those hot days and may even improve your fuel efficiency by reducing system and engine strain.
Unpleasant odours from the air vents could also indicate the need for an air-con antibacterial clean.
Recharge at Motorcare
The recharge process is straightforward.
It removes old refrigerant gas and oil from your air conditioning system. Then, according to your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations, the correct amount of new refrigerant and lubricant is added.
A vacuum test also ensures that no cracks or damage could cause gas leaks. The process is completed within an hour, and you will have refreshing cool air on demand again.
Motorcare will demonstrate the difference in your AC before and after the recharge.
Vehicle air conditioners that are not regularly recharged become less effective and work harder to produce cool air, straining the engine and increasing fuel consumption.
If your air conditioning system has not been recharged in the past two years, its efficiency will be significantly reduced.
What is Checked During a Free Air
Conditioning Check?
To determine whether your air conditioning system is working correctly, Motorcare will first record the ambient air temperature outside the vehicle to obtain an accurate reading.
We’ll then visually inspect the air conditioning system and check the drive belt condition and tension (this is not applicable to hybrid and electric vehicles).
Inside the car, the technician will then use a probe to record the lowest vent temperature when the air con is switched on and set to the coldest level.
Lastly, the vehicle interior is checked for odours caused by air conditioning operation, which may suggest that a new pollen filter is required or that an antibacterial air conditioner is recommended.
Motorcare will provide feedback on the temperature test results and let you know if a recharge could help reduce the cabin temperature.
Air Conditioning Recharge
An air conditioning recharge, sometimes called air conditioning regas service, replenishes the refrigerant gas in your system, ensuring it can produce cool air effectively.
This essential process involves a comprehensive full visual inspection to check for leaks and other potential issues.
During the inspection, the technician will meticulously examine hoses, connections, and the compressor for any signs of wear or damage. After confirming that the system is in good condition, the correct amount of refrigerant is added to restore optimal functionality.
Maintaining the proper refrigerant levels ensures your air conditioning operates efficiently, prolonging its lifespan and improving overall performance.
Lubricant and Refrigerant Levels Check
Proper lubricant and refrigerant levels are essential for efficiently operating your car's air con system.
The system can become less effective without the right amounts, leading to potential damage and increased fuel consumption.
Our technicians will carefully inspect and recharge lubricant levels as needed, ensuring less strain on the engine and more fuel-efficient operation.
This process extends the life of your air conditioning system and enhances overall vehicle performance, providing you with a more comfortable driving experience.
Motorcare Air Con Clean (Antibacterial)
If you notice unpleasant odours coming from your car's air vents when you turn on the air conditioning, it might be time for an air conditioning clean service, also known as an antibacterial treatment.
Over time, the humidity and moisture in your car's air conditioning system can lead to bacteria, mould, and fungi buildup, especially if it is left unused.
This buildup can harm your health, particularly for those with allergies, as bacterial spores are blown into the vehicle's cabin and inhaled by passengers.
This can cause illness and produce an unpleasant smell from the air vents when the air conditioning is on, making for an uncomfortable driving experience.
Contact Motorcare Slough Today
For reliable and efficient car air con service for all vehicle manufacturers, contact Motorcare today.
Keeping your air con in good working order helps avoid costly repairs and saves money.
Our team is dedicated to providing top-notch air conditioning services to help you drive comfortably in any weather.
What is an Air Con Antibacterial Treatment?
An air con cleaning service is highly recommended to decontaminate your system and eliminate bacteria. One of our trained experts will set off a cleaning spray or 'bomb' in the vehicle cabin, which is then drawn into the air vents to kill the bacteria. This leaves you with a long-lasting fresh air con smell and a clean, bacteria-ree system. We also ensure the used canister is disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.
Our antibacterial clean service targets harmful bacteria and unpleasant smells within your car's air conditioning system. We thoroughly sanitize the air vents and filters using advanced cleaning solutions and techniques, eliminating contaminants that can accumulate over time.
This cleaning process not only helps to ensure the air inside your vehicle is fresh and healthy to breathe, but it also enhances the overall performance of your air conditioning system, leading to a more comfortable and enjoyable driving experience.
Regularly maintaining your car's air conditioning system with our antibacterial clean service can prevent respiratory issues and provide peace of mind, knowing that you and your passengers breathe cleaner air.