Turning on the car's air conditioning in the winter avoids many problems.
Regasification of the system is often the best way to keep your air conditioner in top condition while ensuring year-round use, but there are plenty of other factors to consider.
Here, we separate fact from fiction by examining people's top air conditioning problems.
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| The importance of running the cold air conditioner in the winter |
Should I use the air conditioner in the winter too?
In short, yes, consider it an essential part of vehicle maintenance that can directly save you money on future repair work.
First of all, using warm air from the system in winter is an excellent way to defog windows.
Because the air coming out of the vents is dry, the air conditioner acts as a dehumidifier.
The air conditioning system, like the human body, can malfunction if it is not used for long periods of time, and as a result, suffers from wear and tear in the summer.
The air conditioner contains refrigerant and some oil, and it is important to keep this fluid flowing and the system components lubricated.
Avoid musty smells
Turning on the air conditioning in the winter is an important part of car maintenance that can save you money on future repairs.
Leaving the air conditioner unattended throughout the long winter months causes a bad smell to appear when it is turned on during the hot and humid summer months.
So every two weeks you need to run the air conditioner for some time in order to maintain it and avoid damage as a result of leaving it for many months without use.
Errors when dealing with adaptation
There are several common actions by motorists that cause damage to the adaptive actuator system, including:
Adaptation is running and windows are open
- While the air conditioner is doing its job, many drivers are still drawn to the feeling of "fresh air" on their faces.
- Although they are unlikely to cause serious damage to your system, it is not a good idea to drive for an extended period of time with your windows open and the air conditioning on.
- It's not economical in the first place, if the air conditioning is on, closing the windows will keep the cool air inside the car and the temperature moderate.
- Furthermore, open windows allow warm air to enter the vehicle, which puts pressure on the air conditioning system and potentially causes problems.
- As a general rule, if it's hotter and more humid outside the car than it is inside, you're wasting money by running the air conditioning with the windows open.
Air conditioner or open window?
An old argument, the truth is that neither improves fuel efficiency. Opened windows increase drag, which slows the car and increases the amount of fuel required to run.
Meanwhile, running the air conditioning puts an extra load on the engine, requiring more fuel.
As with many things, different studies tell us different things, but there is some evidence that opening windows is the most cost-effective option.
In 2004, General Motors conducted research to solve the problem once and for all and discovered a clear trend of lower fuel consumption in vehicles with the windows down and the air conditioning off approach.
But, as mentioned earlier, a passive air conditioning system is not healthy, and while open windows may reduce fuel consumption, does this air really reach the guaranteed coolness of an air conditioner?
To summarize, it is beneficial to keep the air conditioner running at regular intervals.