Your car's air conditioning isn't cooling well. What's wrong with it?

In summer, we can’t imagine driving without the air conditioning running. It’s impossible to get around during those two months of high temperatures without the car’s cold air switched on, which manages to lower the temperature of the cabin and offer some relief from the heat. But while in use, we may find that this essential comfort feature of the car is not working properly.

There are several signs that indicate the need to take the car to the workshop and have the entire climate control system checked. We’re going to show you some of the reasons why the air conditioning isn’t working properly and the causes behind these problems.

Airflow

The strength of the cold air is one of the indicators that the air conditioning isn’t working well. If the air doesn’t have enough force and comes out not very cold, the filter in the system may be dirty and need replacing. Using the air conditioning causes dirt to build up in the filter, which blocks the airflow. Replacing the filter can get the air circulating normally again.

Unpleasant odours

This problem can also be caused by dirt in the filter and the rest of the ventilation system. If a very unpleasant smell is detected, there may be a lot of dirt and even moisture in the circuit. This not only causes unpleasant odours, but can also lead to microorganisms growing and getting into the air, which can cause illness. In this case, the best option is to go to the workshop and clean the circuit.

Higher engine consumption

If the ventilation system and air conditioning aren’t working properly, fuel consumption can increase considerably. The engine may also overheat, so it can warn that something isn’t working right and that a serious breakdown may occur if it isn’t attended to in time.

Checking the air conditioning circuit

In any of these situations, you should check the air conditioning circuit. It’s important that everything is correct and that there are no leaks preventing the air from cooling properly. With this check and topping up the refrigerant gas, if necessary, the air conditioning can stay in perfect working order for a long time.