You check the guide out to make sure you purchase the correct system.Ģ. Check the refrigerant pressure: Before charging your system, you want to check the pressure. The AC chargers basically look like mini fire extinguishers with hoses and gages on them.
HOW TO USE AC RECHARGE CAN FULL
If you turn it on full blast and the compressor is not engaging, then the issue may be bigger than just a simple recharge, such as an electrical issue or compressor failure.ġ. Get your refrigerant system: At any auto store you’ll find a guide that tells you exactly what refrigerant recharger you need to purchase. When your AC is on high, the compressor should be spinning. The AC compressor converts the refrigerant in your car from liquid form to gas. You can also start initially by checking to see if your compressor is engaging. If the temperature of the air is in the 40's-50's even after the car has warmed up, its possible your car is low. The first way to see if your car is low on refrigerant you can acutally stick a meat thermometor into your car's AC vent and put it on full blast. If you charge your AC and the air continues to stay cold, you’ll know it was just time to add more refrigerant to the system. If you charge your car’s AC, and a few days or weeks later the air coming out of the unit is no longer cold, it’s time to take it to a mechanic. However, warm air from your AC unit can also indicate a bigger issue, such as a leak that may need to be repaired, but you can figure that out pretty easily. It doesn’t need to be charged on any particular schedule- it can wait for you to decide you want cold air again. Nothing bad will happen to your car if it's run out of "cold air" so don't stress. If you’re happy with the temperature of the air coming out of your car’s AC unit then you’re fine. Many mechanics will trick or try to convince you that you need this service or that your car is due for this service while you’re getting a tuneup or oil change.
Typically, a car may never need to have it’s AC unit recharged for over 100k miles or more depending on how often you use it or what sort of climate you live in, but in general, you’ll know something is up if, after your AC has had a few minutes to start working, if the air coming out of it never gets cool and refreshing. You know your car may be ready for a charge when the summer comes around, and you turn your air conditioner on, and it never gets cold.