How Does My Air Conditioning Work?

Your car air conditioning unit works by cooling the temperature inside your car and also helps to filter out any pollen, pollutants and airborne bacteria.

The air con system cools the air with a refrigerant gas and then circulates throughout your car keeping you cool.

Like other parts on your car, the air con system also needs to be maintained in order to get the best out of it and to keep it in tip top order.

One obvious sign to look out for that may indicate your air con needs a good clean is by how it smells!

• Do you notice a nasty smell when you turn your air con? This is a common sign that your air conditioning system needs a good clean.

These unpleasant odours are caused by a build up of particles and liquid which create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to develop and thrive.  At LTS we offer an Antibacterial Clean which will remove 99% of bacteria leaving your air con smelling clean and fresh, keeping you safe from breathing in these unpleasant and potentially harmful bacteria.

• Recharge (top up) the air con gas regularly:

As with other liquids that your vehicle requires, the coolant used by the air con system also needs to be regularly refreshed (known as a recharge or re gas). The coolant needs to be drained and then refilled and at the same time the key working components are lubricated to keep them working efficiently.

How Often Should I Have My Air Conditioning Checked?

As your car air con is not checked as part of your MOT test and re gassing is not included in your Service, it is still very important to make ensure that you include recharging as part of your regular vehicle maintenance routine. Most manufacturers recommend a recharge every two years, but always double check your vehicles handbook for the correct information.

How Much is n Air Conditioning Recharge?

The price you pay for an air con recharge (re gas) depends upon the type of refrigerant gas your car uses.  Most cars on the road within the UK use one of two types of refrigerant. These are called R134A and R1234YF.

If your air conditioning system requires R134A gas the cost at LTS to recharge is only £48.  For vehicles that require R1234YF gas the cost is £118 to recharge.  Unfortunately, It is not possible to choose the cheaper re gas, so you cannot switch between gases.   This is also down to the fact that the portal to recharge R1234YF models is very different to the R134A making it impossible to refill with the incorrect gas.

So if you need an Antibacterial Clean or a Recharge, pop down to LTS and see our highly skilled trained technicians who are here to help you get your car smelling fresh and clean and back to being in as cool as a cucumber working order!