The Consequences of Neglecting to Service Your Car’s AC Unit

Most people don't give their vehicle's air conditioning system much thought. They know it's there and that they can adjust its temperature as needed. Other than that, they simply enjoy riding in comfort on even the hottest and most humid days. Many of us take for granted that our vehicle's AC will work the way it's supposed to when we need it.

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Of course, when the AC system stops working, we tend to take more notice of it, don't we? It's impossible to fully appreciate a car's air conditioning system until you have to ride around without cool air in the middle of summer. Once the AC fails, getting it back up and running can be complicated and costly. Most people don't realize that automotive air conditioning systems need maintenance just like home air conditioners do. Technicians like those at Keith Schulz Garage can help make sure you don't have to forge through summer without a working air conditioner in your vehicle.

What Happens When You Neglect Your Car's Air Conditioning System?

It's important for all vehicle owners to understand the potential consequences of neglecting to service a car's AC unit. Your vehicle's air conditioning system works hard all summer long to keep you comfortable inside the cabin. That, alone, causes a great deal of wear and tear, and the hotter and more humid it is outside, the harder the AC system has to work to keep you cool. When you add heat radiating up from the road and out from other vehicles around you, that only compounds the stress on the air conditioner. Without routine maintenance, those factors can certainly take a major toll.

AC Failure

Failing to have your vehicle's AC serviced will ultimately lead to a complete breakdown of the system. That means you won't have air conditioning when you need it most. If you've ever ridden in a sweltering vehicle for any length of time, you know how miserable that can be. Though rolling down the windows can help to an extent as long as you're in motion, it does little to battle the heat and humidity when you're sitting still.

In truth, riding in an unairconditioned vehicle can potentially be dangerous even with the windows down. Without air conditioning, the temperatures inside a vehicle can get anywhere from 20 to 40 degrees higher than those outside. On particularly hot and humid days, long trips in an excessively hot vehicle can increase the risk of dehydration. That, in turn, poses several dangers, not the least of which are possible heat exhaustion heatstroke. That's only one factor to consider, though.

Extensive AC System Damage

AC failure is essentially the end result of ongoing wear and damage. It's not the first symptom of air conditioning problems. This, like so many other automotive issues, starts off small and grows from there.

Vehicles' AC systems are made up of numerous components, including the compressor, condenser, evaporator, expansion valve, and accumulator. They also contain several hoses, pipes, relays, sensors, and switches. They have electrical wiring and interior controls as well. All these parts work together to keep the air conditioner functioning properly.

The compressor pressurizes refrigerant contained in the system and sends it to the condenser where it's transformed from a gas to a liquid. Then, that liquid moves along to the expansion valve. There, it's converted back into a gas that's far colder than it was in the beginning. That cold gas moves along to the evaporator where it draws heat and humidity out of hot air that's being pulled from your vehicle's cabin. From there, cooled air is blown into the cabin. This is an ongoing process that takes place as long as your vehicle is running and the AC is turned on.

If one of the system's components starts to fail, it can have an increasingly serious impact on all the others. AC issues often begin with something simple like worn seals or damaged hoses. Those issues can cause refrigerant leaks that gradually grow worse over time. Without enough refrigerant in the AC system, the compressor works harder to try to keep you cool.

At the same time, refrigerant contains a substance that keeps the components of the compressor properly lubricated. When refrigerant levels drop, there may not be enough lubricant to protect the compressor, which makes it more likely to fail. As the AC system loses efficiency and effectiveness, other components, like the condenser and evaporator are more likely to sustain more wear and tear. Dirt and debris can build up in them, causing them to get clogged and corroded.

Mold can even build up in the system. If so, spores may get blown into the cabin with you. That could leave you and your passengers unknowingly breathing them in every time you run the air conditioner.

Beyond the Air Conditioning System

Ignoring AC maintenance can also cause problems that go beyond the air conditioning system itself. Your AC system draws power from the engine. If it's in top-notch condition, that amount of power is minimal. As the AC loses efficiency, though, it needs to draw more and more power. That, in turn, can take more of a toll on the engine.

It'll lead to reduced efficiency as well, meaning that running the AC system will burn increasingly more fuel. Additionally, when the AC isn't working the way it should, you'll most likely have to deal with your windows fogging up because the heat and humidity inside the vehicle aren't being effectively removed. It's also worth mentioning that the more AC problems grow and expand beyond the system, the more having them repaired will cost.

Keeping Your Vehicle's AC in Optimal Condition

If you're like most people, you probably take having a cool, comfortable vehicle to ride in for granted. Automotive AC systems don't last forever, though. They gradually wear out and lose efficiency, ultimately malfunctioning completely. Regular AC system maintenance can keep that from happening. It'll keep your AC working properly and prevent the toll wear and tear takes on not only the components of the air conditioning system but also the engine and other parts. Having your vehicle's AC serviced can also reduce the amount you'll spend on repairs over time.