How cool is my air conditioner?

But the air conditioning systems in cars are complex and involve Freon, which is akin to blood in the body. Basically, Freon is a gas and liquid combination that circulates through a car’s system.When it is pushed under pressure through hoses and an expansion value, the gas expands and contracts. Basically, this is what makes the cold air come through the vents in the car’s dashboard.

There are dozens of reasons why a car’s air conditioning won’t work. The most common is that it is low on Freon, sometimes due to a leak.

Consider some of these thoughts about auto air conditioning to ensure that your car is ready for the hot summer months. The information is offered from approved automotive repair specialists Ed Kriston and Jeff Boone, who work out of the Towson office of AAA Mid-Atlantic, which is headquartered in Wilmington, Del.

» Test your air conditioning. When an unusually warm spring day blooms, turn on the car air conditioner and make sure it emits cool air.

» Low refrigerant (Freon) is the No. 1 reason a car’s air conditioning doesn’t work. Leaking through hoses or the air conditioning compressor is a common reason. Warning: Don’t allow do-it-yourselfers to fiddle with the system. There are very specific federal government guidelines involved. If those aren’t followed, both people and the environment can be harmed. In addition, the repair person and the car owner can be liable for thousands of dollars in fines. Bottom line: Don’t tinker.

» In some cars, the electric cooling fan motor near the condenser can also cause air conditioning to stop working. Again, an approved auto repair technician will ensure it runs properly.

» Remember that cars with low Freon may still emit comfortable air conditioning when the car is driven at freeway speeds. It’s best to have the air conditioning checked before summer heat hits.

» On cool days, conserve air conditioning by opening your windows and shutting off the air conditioning. That will also give you better fuel economy.