Instructions for Using Car Air Conditioner Correctly

- Instructions for Using Car Air Conditioner Correctly
Latest update date: February 01, 07

Using air conditioning in a car is one of the important factors that contributes to bringing comfort and convenience to the driver and passengers. The car air conditioning system includes many parts such as pressostats, return valves, compressors, and evaporators.

For air conditioners to operate effectively, car owners need to perform regular maintenance such as refilling refrigerant gas, changing compressor oil, and checking pipes. When using air conditioning, the driver should pay attention to adjusting the temperature, fan speed, and ventilation mode to suit the weather conditions and the number of passengers in the vehicle. Excessive use of air conditioning can also affect the vehicle's fuel consumption.

In this article, we will learn more about the structure, operating principles, and notes when using the car air conditioning system properly.

Notes When Using Car Air Conditioner

1. Avoid turning on the air conditioner before starting the car

When the car is not started, if the air conditioner is turned on immediately at a high level to cool, the battery will have to operate at full capacity to run the air conditioner, causing it to quickly weaken.

In the summer, before getting in the car, you should spend about 5-10 minutes, open all the car doors and turn on the fan at the highest level, both to push toxic gases out of the car and cool down the car. Once you get in the car and start the engine, turn on the air conditioner to cool slowly instead of leaving it at a low temperature, which will cause the air conditioner to work harder.

Note when using car air conditioner
Avoid turning on the air conditioner without starting the car

2. Turn on later, turn off first

Do not turn on the air conditioner at the same time as starting the car. Instead, lower the windows and turn on the blower at level 1, helping the hot air in the car to escape first. After about 5-10 minutes, when the machine runs smoothly, the air conditioner will be turned on. Because if you just got into the car with the air conditioner on, it will cause the car to be started at low revs and have to bear a large load, damaging the battery.

When turning on the air conditioner, the doors must be closed to avoid wasting cold air outside and wasting fuel. After turning on the air conditioner, adjust the fan to a reasonable level, because setting the fan at too high a level will consume a lot of electricity.

3. Do not turn on the air conditioner at the same time as starting the car

If driving in normal weather conditions, you should leave the fan on outside so the car has oxygen. Only take in air while the air conditioner is turned on so that the air in the car is quickly cooled and when it rains to avoid humid air from entering, causing condensation in the cabin.

When driving through high flood areas, you should turn off the air conditioner, including the fan, to avoid debris floating in the water that can clog the fan blades and cause the fan fuse to blow. About 10 minutes before the end of the route, you should lower the windows and turn off the air conditioning. Do not suddenly turn off the engine and air conditioner at the same time.

4. Regular maintenance

Every month, you should clean the filter screen (if the vehicle is constantly running on dusty terrain such as construction sites, dirt roads ..., the filter should be cleaned weekly), to avoid the filter. The air conditioner wind is clogged, causing wind to be trapped in the indoor unit and unable to enter the cabin.

Experience in using car air conditioners
You should clean the filter every month

Every 6 months, go to professional centers to clean the condenser and condenser of the air conditioner. If the condenser is dirty, it will radiate heat poorly, reducing the cooling efficiency of the solvent (gas). If the condenser is dirty, cold air cannot spread around to enter the vehicle compartment and cause the air conditioner to work harder. , causing fuel wastage.

The addition of gas to the air conditioner needs to ensure compliance with the regulations, because on many cars, if the gas is loaded too much, the safety valve will automatically exhaust the gas to protect the system, causing complete loss of pressure and cyclones. The air conditioner will stop working. On the contrary, if gas is short, the operation of the cooling system will be poor.

5. Don't let the air conditioner get too cold

Using the air conditioner at a temperature that is too different from the outside will cause the air conditioner to operate in conditions of overload, fuel consumption and damage.

Moreover, when the temperature in and out of the car is too different, when getting on and off the car you will be susceptible to sore throat, cold due to sudden temperature changes, very dangerous. It is best to air conditioner in the car at a moderate temperature, above 25 degrees C, to ensure your health as well as increase the durability of the vehicle.

6. Avoid parking in the sun

The car's design will make it like an oven and can easily get very hot if the car is placed in the sun. Plastic and leather equipment in the car will create toxic gases at high temperatures, accompanied by an unpleasant odor that is dangerous to health.

Look for parking in the shade so the car does not heat up. If not, please carefully drive the car beam with a special beam, but it is best to find a parking space. The basement of a high rise building is a typical place to park and avoid heat. Leaving the car in the basement also prevents you from having to cool down before you get in during this hot season.

7. Paste insulation film phim

Heat-insulating film should be applied to all vehicle windows. The heat-insulating film layer not only has the task of preventing heat, increasing the efficiency of air conditioning when traveling in hot weather, but also has the effect of blocking ultraviolet rays and protecting health.

car air conditioner user manual
The insulating film layer has both the function of preventing heat and protecting health

The front glass should be affixed with a clear, high-transmittance film for good and lawful observation, but this glass is also the least heat-resistant, so parking should give priority to the front glass in a shady place.

Laminated glass films are resistant to heat and glare well, thanks to the use of dark films with good light penetration. It's best to choose a good one because many movies of unknown origin only work to darken and create a shady feel but do not block ultraviolet rays.

Signs that your car needs air conditioning maintenance

Here are some signs that your car needs air conditioning service:

  • Cars after 3 years have not been checked and maintained.
  • The car starts and rolls for more than 10 minutes to get cold air from the air conditioner.
  • The blower makes a loud whirring sound but has no wind, is a bit cool, and can have a very unpleasant smell.
  • Only when the car is moving does the air conditioner turn on, and when stopping or waiting for a red light, there is no cool air.
  • It often happens that the air conditioner turns on to cool immediately but after a while it feels hot again.

Steps to Check & Maintain Car Air Conditioning

1. Check car air filter

The first step is to check and clean the air conditioner filter after every 5.000 - 10.000 km of operation. Because after a period of use, dirt will stick to each slot of the air conditioner, causing obstruction to air circulation. Car manufacturers recommend replacing the air filter after 2 years of use to keep the car running efficiently. 

Experience in using car air conditioners
Check the car air filter periodically

2. Check the car cooling system

The steps to check the cooling system are as follows:

  • Step 1: Start the car's engine system, hold the gas and turn on the air conditioner at full capacity for about 10 minutes.
  • Step 2: When the air conditioner is working, you put the thermometer in front of the air conditioner. After a few minutes, if the temperature is lower than 15 degrees Celsius outside, it means that the air conditioner is working properly.
  • Step 3: After 15 minutes of operation, the cooling system occurs when the underside of the car is dry, there is no standing water, it shows that the amount of gas in this cooling system has decreased.
Note when servicing the car
Check car air conditioning cooling system

3. Check the throttle eye

The throttle eye is a glass that helps observe the condition of the fluid inside the cooling system. If the amount of refrigerant is low, add more refrigerant to the system. If you look through the gas nozzle, you will see air bubbles appearing, which is a sign that the air conditioner is lacking gas. You need to top up to ensure the amount of gas for the cooling system to operate normally.

Note when maintaining car air conditioner
Check car air conditioner gas eyes

With the knowledge and skills to use the air conditioning system properly, car owners will be able to increase the lifespan of this part, while bringing maximum comfort to themselves and their passengers on every trip.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the ideal temperature to install car air conditioning?

The ideal temperature should be set between 25-27°C. This helps save fuel and protect users' health, avoiding too large a temperature difference with the outside environment.

2. How often to change car air conditioning gas?

Normally, it is recommended to check and add air conditioning gas every 12-18 months or when the vehicle travels about 20.000-30.000 km, whichever comes first.

3. How to recognize signs of running out of air conditioner gas?

Signs include: weak cooling air, prolonged cooling time, unusual noise from the compressor, or observed air bubbles through the throttle valve.

4. Why does car air conditioning create water dripping under the car?

This is a normal phenomenon caused by condensation of moisture from the air. The amount of water dripping about 0.5-1 liter/hour is normal, depending on environmental humidity.

5. Should you use MAX A/C mode on car air conditioners?

MAX A/C mode should be used for short periods of time (5-10 minutes) to quickly cool the cabin. After that, you should switch back to normal mode to save fuel and protect the air conditioning system.

6. How to remove bad odors from car air conditioning?

How to effectively remove odors from car air conditioners:

  • Clean the air conditioner filter every 5.000-10.000 km
  • Use specialized deodorizing spray products
  • Turn on the fan at the highest level and outside air mode for 5-10 minutes before turning off the machine

7. Is it necessary to maintain car air conditioning in winter?

Yes, air conditioners should be regularly maintained even in winter. This helps maintain system performance, prevents bacteria growth and ensures the air conditioner operates properly when needed.

8. How to increase the cooling efficiency of car air conditioning?

How to increase the cooling efficiency of car air conditioning by:

  • Apply high-quality heat-insulating film (cuts up to 70% of heat from the outside)
  • Use a sunshade when parking
  • Regularly maintain the air conditioning system
  • Make sure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure to reduce friction and heat generation

Read the article now: Car air conditioner is not cool - The cause & the most effective remedy will help you get the most detailed answer.

9. Why does car air conditioning increase fuel consumption?

Car air conditioning increases fuel consumption by about 5-10% because the air conditioning compressor is operated by the engine. This puts additional load on the engine, leading to higher fuel consumption. Read the article now: Instructions How to save gas when using car air conditioning Effective, simple and recommended by many experts.

10. Why does car air conditioning sometimes make unusual noises?

Abnormal noise may be caused by:

  • Compressor broken (metallic noise)
  • Drive belt is loose (screeching noise)
  • Debris in the blower (crunching sound)
  • Lack of refrigerant gas (whistling sound)

You should check immediately when you hear strange noises to avoid serious damage.

11. Should I refill my car's air conditioner at home?

Do not refill air conditioner gas at home. This process requires specialist knowledge, special tools and compliance with environmental regulations. Improper gas refilling can cause serious damage to the air conditioning system and pose a potential safety hazard. Read now Be careful when recharging your car's air conditioner fastest, safest, simplest shared on the website.

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