While backpacks and lunchboxes may be at the top of your list, your vehicle shouldn’t be an afterthought — especially the air conditioning. Whether you’re driving little ones to school, commuting to college classes, or just navigating daily traffic, your car’s A/C plays a bigger role in comfort and safety than you might think.
Why now’s the time to check it
August and September are still peak heat months. If your A/C is underperforming now, it’s not going to get better on its own. Small issues like a clogged cabin air filter, aging blower motor, or even a minor refrigerant leak can lead to bigger (and more expensive) repairs if ignored.
Plus, back-to-school traffic and long carpool lines aren’t the place to realize your A/C has given up.
How your vehicle’s A/C works
Your car’s air conditioning system isn’t just blowing cold air — It works by removing heat and moisture from the air inside your vehicle. Here’s how it works in simple terms:
Your vehicle’s A/C works:
- Compressor: Pressurizes the refrigerant and starts the cooling cycle.
- Condenser: Cools the high-pressure refrigerant gas into a liquid using airflow (usually located in front of the radiator).
- Receiver/Dryer or Accumulator: Filters moisture and debris from the refrigerant (varies by system design).
- Expansion Valve or Orifice Tube: Drops the pressure of the refrigerant, cooling it significantly.
- Evaporator: Located inside the dashboard, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the cabin air and turns back into a gas.
- Blower Fan: Pushes the cooled, dehumidified air through the vehicle’s vents.
- Closed Loop: The refrigerant continuously cycles through the sealed system — never escaping unless there’s a leak.
If any one of these parts starts to fail — or if your refrigerant is low — your system won’t cool properly and the whole system needs to be replaced.
Be proactive
Smells musty — low air flow — lack of cold air — takes too long to get cold?
Get ahead of the rush by scheduling an A/C inspection now. Our technicians can check refrigerant levels, inspect components, and ensure everything is running smoothly. If your student is heading off to school with their own car, it’s also a smart time for a full safety check.
Keep your cool this school year — literally. A quick A/C check today could save you from a hot and frustrating ride tomorrow.
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