FAQ/Advice

Why do you need to use the licensed technician to service your vehicle's AC system?

Under Australian laws to protect the environment, the use of depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases is regulated. The licensing system ensures that only technician with adequate licences are allowed to service the vehicle's AC systems. People operating without a licence or authorisation are committing an offence and are subject to prosecution. More information is available at Australian Refrigeration Council website.

[top]

How do I know which gas is inside my vehicle's A/C system?

Generally all vehicles manufactured prior to 1994 used R12 and all vehicles manufactured after 1994 use R134a. Recharging of the vehicles with R12 is prohibited as this refrigerant destroys the ozone layer. If your vehicle uses R12 it needs to be retrofitted to R134a or SP34E. Retrofitting to SP34E is a much cheaper option and is recommended for cheaper cars.

[top]

What is Retro-fit?

The term Retro-fitting is used to describe the procedure used to convert an air-conditioning system designed for use with R12 refrigerant, to be modified to operate using R134A or a blended refrigerant such as HR12, FR12, SP34A etc.

[top]

What is a leak detection?

Leak detection is a process through which the air conditioning system is checked for refrigerant leakage. All refrigerant leaks must be found and rectified, as low refrigerant charge can cause system damage:

[top]

Why is a leak detection important?

It is requirement by law that every air conditioning business must at least provide electronic leak detection. It is illegal to charge the AC systems that are leaking as all the refrigerant will be released into the environment if the leak is not fixed. Leak detection can be visual, electronic, soap solution and ultra violet.

[top]

Why do I need to service my vehicle's air conditioning system?

Vehicles air conditioning systems need to be serviced regularly because:

[top]

Why is it necessary to replace the interior filter once a year or every 15,000km?

The interior filter is usually made of micro-fleece material that filters dust, dirt and pollen out of the air. In the case of an active carbon interior filter, gaseous pollutants (hydrocarbon compounds, ozone) are also filtered out. When you consider that up to 300 cubic metres of outside air flow though the filter per hour, you can imagine that the 'saturation point' has been reached after approx 1 year or 15,000km and that the filter needs replacing. If this doesn't happen, air throughput will be reduced. This puts more strain on the interior fan motor and can destroy it in extreme cases due to overheating.

A further result of a soiled filter is that the windows fog up due to humid air inside the vehicle. In time, the dirt particles trapped by the filter react with the air humidity. When the filter is too old, this can also lead to unpleasant smells developing.

[top]

Why does the filter/dryer have to be replaced?

The filter/dryer removes humidity and dirt particles from the air conditioning system to protect it from damage and guarantee optimum cooling performance.

Part of the humidity from the air conditioning system can be trapped by the filter/dryer, which can also be known as an accumulator depending on the system. The saturation point as been reached after approx. 2 yrs of operation. If the dryer is not replaced regularly, the high water volume in the system will lead to corrosion. Increased wear and mechanical damage to system components are bound to follow. The expansion valve could also ice up. This can lead to considerable problems up to complete failure of the air conditioning system.

[top]

Where does the musty smell inside the vehicle come from?

The cause of the smell can be an old interior filter and/or a soiled dryer/evaporator.

In time, the dirt particles trapped by the filter react with the air humidity. When the filter is too old, this can lead to unpleasant smells developing. Bacteria, fungus and other micro-organisms nesting in the evaporator can create musty smells and provoke allergic reactions. Regular filter replacement and regular disinfection of the evaporator will eliminate this problem or prevent it occurring in the first place.

[top]

Why do my windows fog? How can i prevent this?

Fogging on the windows is nothing more that humidity in the air condensing on them - specific use of the air conditioning system can help here.

In the cold, wet season, the air is generally damp, and we bring more humidity into the vehicle again and again on our clothes, wet shoes, and jackets. This effect is increased even more by human breath. The air conditioning system dries the air in the vehicle interior, clearing the windows quickly. They clear even quicker if the circulation mode is selected first.

This can be done in next to no time:

Notice that it is unsafe to keep a reticulated position for too long as the air inside the cabin can become stuffy and can cause health problems.

[top]

How can refrigerant escape from the air conditioning system when it is a closed system

A small amount of refrigerant can escape due to 'natural seepage' through the hoses used in the system and the seals of the individual system components. This can be up to 10% of the total refrigerant volume per year. A 100% sealed system is not possible due to the requirements placed on the system in vehicles (flexible lines, material selection).

[top]

How can I use my air conditioning system as effectively as possible?

IN THE SUMMER

If possible, park your vehicle in the shade on sunny days. Otherwise the temperature inside the vehicle can rise to up to 60 degrees C. To get rid of standing heat in the vehicle, open the doors briefly before starting your journey. To make things pleasantly cool as quickly as possible, we recommend switching the air conditioning to maximum cooling and the fan speed to maximum. The air stream does not have to be directed directly at the passengers. Brief use of the recirculation mode speeds up the cool down. Opening the windows and sunroof during the first few minutes has the effect of exchanging the air more rapidly, thus cooling the interior quicker. 'Draughts' must be avoided. The interior temperature should not fall below 22 degrees due to health considerations.

IN THE WINTER

To warm and dry the air and clear the fogged windows as quickly as possible, the air conditioning system should be switched on before you begin your journey and the air flow directed at the windscreen. To prevent even more damp air entering the passenger compartment, recirculation mode should be chosen temporarily. We recommend setting fan speed to the highest level and the heating to maximum. Recirculation mode must be switched off again after a short time.

In most cases the medium level is sufficient once the fogging has been cleared from the windows.

The air conditioning system can then be switched off.

Note: models on some manufacturers switch the air conditioning system off automatically when the outside temperature falls below approx 4 degree C. Recirculation mode with the air conditioning system switched on and the air flow directed only at the windscreen is not possible on some vehicles.

[top]

How do i notice that there is something wrong with my air conditioning system?

The points mentioned above can be seen as signs that the air conditioning system has not been serviced properly or is not functioning correctly. Too little refrigerant can be the reason for poor cooling performance (refer also to "Why do air conditioning systems need to be serviced"). Increased fuel consumption can be caused by the air conditioning compressor being switched on too frequently and for too long.

Noises that can only be heard when the air conditioning is switched on are usually caused by the compressor or the expansion valve. Permanently fogged windows is often a sign for a soiled interior filter (refer also to "Why do my windows fog"). Musty smells can be caused by bacteria or fungus nesting in the evaporator. An old interior filter could also be the cause. To avoid follow-on damage, the air conditioning system should be checked by an expert without delay.