Refrigerant, once commonly known as Freon and now being phased out, serves two essential functions: it cools the air and maintains sufficient pressure to push air through the AC system. If you lose some refrigerant, your AC won’t cool the air as effectively as it used to. If the refrigerant level drops significantly, it can cause your entire AC system to stop functioning due to low pressure.
At Monty’s Automotive, we offer a Car AC Recharge to address the most frequent issue identified in car AC repairs: low refrigerant levels.
what happens during a car ac recharge?
Our vehicle air conditioner recharge service involves removing the used refrigerant and refilling your system with fresh refrigerant. After the refill, we test the air from your vents to make sure it’s cooling your cabin according to manufacturer specifications. If low refrigerant levels are due to a leak, the AC recharge will take place after we’ve addressed any necessary repairs to your climate control system.
signs my ac NEEDS TO BE RECHARGED
It might be time to recharge your vehicle’s air conditioner if:
You don’t hear the AC clutch engage when you turn on the air conditioning: This could mean the clutch switch is malfunctioning, or your refrigerant level is too low to create the pressure necessary to activate the AC.
Your cabin isn’t cooling as effectively as before: If you find yourself setting a lower target temperature or increasing the fan speed without any change in weather conditions, you could be low on refrigerant.
You notice refrigerant leaks under your vehicle: If you see greasy, filmy spots, that indicates a leak in your AC system.
SIGNS MY CAR NEEDS FREON
Your car’s AC unit might be low on Freon if it’s not cooling your cabin as effectively as it used to. However, you may soon be recharging your AC with Opteon instead.
Freon is a brand name for a group of fluorocarbon refrigerants that became so widely recognized that many people use it as a generic term. The original Freon was phased out to protect the ozone layer, and now the ozone-friendly Freon found in most modern vehicles is also being replaced to combat climate change. Chemours, the company that owns the Freon brand, has introduced Opteon as their next-generation refrigerant. (Fun fact for your next trivia night: Freon was trademarked in 1930 by Kinetic Chemicals, a joint venture between Du Pont and General Motors, while Chemours was spun off from Du Pont in 2015.)
Confused? Don’t worry! At Monty’s, we keep track of which refrigerants are suitable for your vehicle and ensure the safe disposal of any used refrigerant.
how frequent should an ac system be recharged?
For most vehicle models, the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule doesn’t specify a particular AC recharge interval. It’s important to stay attentive to any decline in AC performance or signs of refrigerant leaks. During this check, we’ll perform a visual inspection of your AC system.
is it safe to drive with low refrigerant?
Driving with low refrigerant is safe in the short term, but ignoring the issue for too long can lead to higher repair costs when you finally service your AC. Refrigerant doesn’t just cool your cabin air; it also lubricates the seals within your AC system. Over time, a lack of lubrication can cause these seals to degrade.
why is my car ac not cold?
The most common reason your car’s air conditioner blows warm air is low refrigerant, which means you likely need an AC Recharge service.
Other frequent causes include:
- Clutch Cycling Switch failure: This prevents your refrigerant from pressurizing.
- Broken or blocked condenser: Warm air can’t enter your AC system to be cooled.
- Blocked or kinked airflow: Cool air can’t reach your cabin.
If you need an AC Recharge, you’ve come to the right place. For any other AC system services, Monty’s Automotive is here to help. Start by diagnosing the issue and learn more about our Car AC Repair services.