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Feeling Sweaty? 5 Tips to make your vehicle A/C cooler

The last thing you want is hot air blasting at you when you get in your car on a hot summer day. If your vehicle’s air conditioner doesn’t seem to be keeping up, here are a few ways to make you’re A/C run cooler. Save that super sweaty feeling for a good fitness workout!

• 1. Replace the cabin air filter. The cabin air filter collects dust, pollen, and dirt particles and prevents them from entering your vehicle through the air conditioning and heat vents. When the filter gets clogged or dirty, it can prevent A/C airflow, which will cause the cold air your craving to struggle to reach the inside of your car.
• 2. Park in the shade if possible. Experts say your vehicle can reach internal temperatures of 131-172°F when parked in direct sunlight on a hot summer day. If parking in the shade is not an option, create your own shade! Put up a sun shield in your windshield to help block direct sunlight from turning your vehicle into an oven.
• 3. Don’t switch to Max A/C right away. While it’s very tempting to crank the A/C to high on “max cool” right when you get in your car, it’s actually not a good idea. Did you know that isn’t the fastest way to cool down your vehicle? When your air conditioning is turned to “max”, the car is taking air from inside the cabin, cooling it, and blowing it back at you. Now, remember the air inside is hotter than the outside air when you first get in. It’s best to leave the A/C off at first, and turn the fan to high. This will pull air from outside cooling your car off much faster. Another way to get the hot air out of your vehicle is to roll down the windows and let the summer breeze blow out the hot air. Then once you’ve forced out the hot, humid air, switch to Max A/C.
• 4. Avoid giving you’re A/C system mixed signals. Now that your vehicle is cooled off inside, the best way to keep it cool is to turn the temperature to the coolest setting and adjust the fan speed as needed. Studies show that keeping the temperature somewhere in the middle can cause you’re A/C to reheat air slightly, which uses more fuel and makes the A/C system less efficient.
• 5. Recharge your A/C System. If your air conditioner is low on Freon or refrigerant, it will cause your A/C system to run inefficiently making it feel like the A/C is never giving you enough cool air.

But my vehicle A/C still isn’t giving me cold air.

If you’ve tried the above tips and your car A/C is still struggling to give you cold air, there might be something else wrong with your A/C system. It could be anything from a worn-out part to a leak in the A/C system. Whatever the issue, Hilltop Tire Service has the expertise and knowledge to get your A/C repaired to keep you cooled off this summer.