| Your car’s air conditioner is a pretty complex mechanism that should be serviced by a professional once per year, and that includes your AC system. Follow these Chevy AC maintenance guidelines to minimize wear and keep your cabin cool and comfy. |  |
Maintaining Your Chevy’s Air Conditioning System
Recharge Every Two Years
Refrigerant is the fluid inside the AC that switches back and forth between liquid and gaseous forms as it circulates. This chemical change draws heat from the air, creating the rapid cooling effect.
Refrigerant gradually diminishes over time, so drivers usually need to replenish it every two years. You can have this done at your local Chevy dealership.
Run Defrost Mode Weekly
Defrost mode has several healthy effects on your AC and should be run once a week for ten minutes: even during the height of summer. Defrosting helps to maintain correct gas pressure and gets rid of lingering moisture that might otherwise create a home for mold and mildew.
Avoid Pre-Cooling Your Car
Your car’s air conditioner will run most effectively when the engine’s on and powering the compressor. Using the AC with the engine off puts the system under more strain, which isn’t good for its longevity. For this reason, it’s best to avoid pre-cooling your car on hot days. Instead, turn on the fan to maximum power and roll down the backseat windows when you start driving.
Park Out of Direct Sunlight
Broadly speaking, the less you use your AC, the longer it will last. If you take steps to keep your car as cool as possible, you won’t need your AC quite as much. One step in this direction is to park under the shade whenever possible, which also protects your car’s paintwork and upholstery from UV rays.
Change the Air Filter Yearly
The air blowing into your cabin is kept clean and healthy by the air filter. But this filter slowly clogs up with dust, pollen, pollutants from exhaust fumes, and other debris. A clogged air filter restricts airflow, which stresses the AC, reducing its efficiency. You’ll probably need to replace the filter once a year to keep the air flowing smoothly.
Listen for Strange Sounds
If your AC malfunctions, you might hear odd noises coming from the system. Clicking might point to a bad blend door actuator. Knocking may come from a faulty blower motor.
Whistling sometimes means the airflow is restricted and rattling may simply be a leaf caught in the vent. Whatever noise you hear, ask a technician to diagnose and repair the issue before it worsens.
Book Routine Chevy AC Maintenance
Our experienced technicians will be happy to check your AC for refrigerant leaks and signs of premature wear. As previously mentioned, a car’s AC should ideally be inspected once a year, the refrigerant recharged every two years.
Visit Ed Martin Chevrolet in Anderson, IN, to have your car serviced by qualified professionals. As a long-standing family business, we take pride in keeping our much-valued customers safe, happy, and cool on the road.
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