Can the Weather Affect My Car’s AC?
It’s instinctual; you turn the A/C on the second you get in your car when it’s hot out. Most of us blast it right away to get some relief from the heat. But have you ever wondered how hot weather can affect your car’s A/C? What about other extreme temperatures? Knowing how certain kinds of weather can affect your car’s A/C can help you avoid issues when Mother Nature comes calling.
How the weather will affect your car’s A/C all depends on what kind of weather we’re talking about. Hot temperatures can impact your car’s A/C by forcing it to work overtime and putting strain on the system. High humidity can have a similar effect on your car’s air conditioning system, too. Other types of weather, like cold winter months, generally don’t affect your car’s A/C, as the system is insulated and protected from chilly temperatures.
For over 30 years, AAA Radiator and Auto Air Conditioning has been helping our Miami neighbors with their car A/C issues. When hot weather impacts your car’s air conditioning, you shouldn’t wait to get it repaired. To keep your vehicle cool in the heat and humidity, call the Miami car A/C mechanics at AAA Radiator and Auto Air Conditioning today at (305) 909-6127.
How Can the Weather Affect My Car’s AC System?
Air conditioning is supposed to help you escape the heat. So, why can the heat negatively affect your car’s A/C? If you live in a warmer climate like Miami, or your summers are extremely hot, you may experience a faulty car A/C during those times. With colder temperatures, there’s not much to worry about because your car A/C system is protected from chilly weather.
Hot Temperatures
When it’s hot out, we all rely on our car’s A/C system for relief from the heat. However, hot temperatures can negatively affect your car’s air conditioner. That’s because when temperatures are high, your car’s A/C has to work overtime to cool your vehicle. The air conditioning system in your car works by transforming a refrigerant gas into a liquid that then cools the interior of your cabin. When that gas is overheated, it can be harder for the system to carry out this task. As your car’s A/C works harder, its life expectancy decreases. That’s why you may find that your car A/C has had more problems if you live in a hotter climate.
When your car air conditioner has to work harder to regulate the temperature of your vehicle or is used more frequently in hot weather, it uses more refrigerant. Because refrigerant is essential to cooling down your car, a lack of it can cause warm air to blow out.
That’s not ideal for hot days. That’s why AAA Radiator and Auto Air Conditioning provides A/C recharge services to our Miami clients. An A/C recharge is a simple, quick process that refuels your car’s refrigerant supply. Because some refrigerants work better in hotter temperatures, AAA Radiator and Auto Air Conditioning can match your car with the right refrigerant.
High Humidity
A/C systems work by pulling air from the outside to cool your car. When humidity is high, your car A/C then has to remove the moisture from the air before circulating it through the system. That can cause stress on your car’s A/C unit. It can also prevent your vehicle A/C from properly cooling your car, resulting in warm air blowing out of the vents.
If your car A/C is affected by the humid weather, AAA Radiator and Auto Air Conditioning can help diagnose and address the issue. Our team of ASE-certified mechanics can work quickly to fix your car A/C so that you have relief from hot, humid days.
Cold Temperatures
For the most part, cold weather doesn’t pose a threat to your car’s A/C system – especially not in Miami. The only issue that may arise happens if you don’t periodically turn the air conditioning on during cooler periods. But why would you use the A/C if there’s a real need to? Well, when your car’s A/C sits unused for a long time, dust and bacteria can build up within the system. On top of that, inactive air conditioning systems can become corroded and faulty if not used periodically.
Most people don’t turn on the air in cold weather for obvious reasons. However, if you notice issues with your vehicle’s air conditioning once warmer temperatures roll around again, they may be because you haven’t used the A/C in a while. If that’s the case, our mechanics at Hialeah AAA Radiator and Auto Air Conditioning can help solve any potential electrical issues, leaks, or other problems that may have been caused by infrequent use.
How to Prevent Weather from Affecting My Car’s AC
So, what can you do if you live in a humid, hot climate? Does that mean that your car A/C will always have problems? Not necessarily. Here are a few tricks to prevent or postpone temperature-related car A/C issues.
If your car’s air conditioning has been getting a workout during hot weather, you may be able to help it out. First, get your refrigerant levels checked. If levels are low, the air conditioner may have difficulty cooling your car. At AAA Radiator and Auto Air Conditioning, an A/C recharge is a quick service that refills your car’s refrigerant storage within minutes.
Though it may be tempting to blast the A/C as soon as you get in the car, that won’t do your air conditioner any favors. Try rolling down your windows first, then turning on the air after your car has had a chance to cool down. Starting your car’s A/C at a higher temperature then gradually lowering it can also help keep it from getting overworked.
Finally, if you notice any issues, it’s best to quickly take your car to a mechanic. You may want to avoid repairs, but the truth is the longer you wait to address issues with your car’s A/C, the worse they can get. When in doubt, take your car to AAA Radiator and Auto Air Conditioning.
Call AAA Radiator and Auto Air Conditioning to Address Weather-Related Car AC Issues
When the weather is affecting your car’s air conditioning, don’t hesitate to call the Miami A/C repair mechanics at AAA Radiator and Auto Air Conditioning. Give us a call today at (305) 909-6127 or visit our website to read our customer testimonials.