With summer's excessive heat waves, air conditioning maintenance is vital. Euromaster recommends changing the cabin air filter and recycling the system's gas. These are simple and inexpensive tasks (between 20 and 250 euros).
Lisbon, August 9th - How do high temperatures affect driving? Excessive heat can increase the possibility of suffering a road accident by up to 25%, since a thermometer reading of over 35ºC inside a vehicle can represent a similar risk to being under the influence of a blood alcohol level of between 0.5 gr/l and 0.8 gr/l, based on data from the Road Safety Foundation (FESVIAL) relating to the first heat wave of the Spanish summer.
For all these reasons, Euromaster, a network of workshops specializing in comprehensive vehicle maintenance, advises all drivers to keep their car's air conditioning in optimum working order. Very simple actions, such as changing the cabin filter and refilling the air conditioning system's gas, can save lives.
Air filter for the passenger compartment: function and when to replace it
In the case of replacing the cabin air filter - whose main function is to filter out external particles that can pollute the air outside, ensuring the best air quality inside the vehicle - this is a simple and inexpensive task, which usually costs between 15 and 30 euros.
In the vast majority of vehicles, manufacturers recommend replacing this component every 20,000 kilometers or if it becomes clogged, which can happen at the end of spring, after three months in which pollen and other particles become impregnated in the filter. A clogged filter means that the air conditioning is running at half capacity or barely at all.
So what are the signs that it's time to replace the cabin air filter? The most common and noticeable sign that the filter needs to be replaced is a bad smell when the air conditioning or fan is on, when it's time to go to the garage to have it replaced. In this way, you avoid breathing the air and having to put up with bad smells while driving. Especially during the summer months, when the air conditioning is used the most.
Another sign that it's time for a change is poor airflow from the car's fan. If, when you turn on the fan, you notice that the air isn't coming out as strongly or evenly as usual, it's very likely that the cause is a greasy cabin air filter that is no longer doing its job properly. It is common practice for vehicle manufacturers to recommend replacing them every year.
Refilling the air conditioning system: when to do it
Another element that also influences the performance of the air conditioning is the fact that it simply runs out of gas, which makes a long journey a real ordeal. Depending on the type of gas used in the vehicle, the cost of a gas refill operation can vary between 60 and 250 euros. The time required for a full gas refill is just one hour.
However, there are clear signs that the gas pressure in the air conditioning system is insufficient and that the correct amount should be recharged. To check its condition, the air conditioning should be switched on and if it does not produce cold air, if it does so with little power or if the air conditioning cannot demist the windows in cold weather (it is also used for this function), the gas should be recharged.
Finally, Euromaster reminds drivers that heat and high temperatures increase the risk of fatigue and reduced reflexes behind the wheel. For this reason, it is important to control the temperature inside the passenger compartment so that it remains stable at around 22 degrees Celsius, a value that is precisely the most advisable for efficient use of the air conditioning system.
About Euromaster
Euromaster is a network of workshops specializing in the comprehensive maintenance of vehicles throughout their useful life. Its more than 80 workshops in Portugal contribute to the road health of the automobile fleet, both passenger cars and commercial vehicles, as well as new forms of mobility and fleets, providing a quality service and capillarity to meet the needs of our customers. adapt to your needs. Its services cover not only preventive maintenance, but also predictive maintenance through the analysis of data and critical points. Part of the Michelin Group, Euromaster is present in 19 European countries, with more than 2,500 workshops, 10,000 professionals and 1,600 mobile units. More information at www.euromaster.pt.