Car Air Con recharge?

[Agrajag]

Is Car Air Conditioning recharge actually worth it? And if so, where is the cheapest to get it done? How much should it cost?

My car (Renault Scenic) is about 6 years old, and has never had the air con recharged.
But I worry that I will spend money for no real difference.

Is it worth it?

[Sidmon]

In one word yes! I'm in the motor trade and have a local chap who specialises in coming out mobile and doing it at your home. He knows what he's doing and doesn't skimp on the job (as some do including Kwik Fit) and due to being mobile is extremely competitive. Once recharged you'll notice just how much cooder it is and by having it done will prolong the life of the air con components as the old moisture/dirt in the system will be vacuumed out first (if the person doing it is doing it properly), and once regassed they will also renew the compressor oil. Well worth getting the yellow pages out and asking for a quote for regassing, and asking how long they will vacuum the system before regassing. If they say an hour or so then your looking at a reputable specialist...if not then they're cutting corners. Also shouldn't cost more than £60 and if you try your luck you could keep bartering them with the best quote, especially of one sounds more extensive a specialist than the other, but the other is cheaper.

[harveybobbles]

I wonder when people will actually realise to use aircon all the time, not just in the few weeks that its mega hot...

[Sidmon]

I wonder when people will actually realise to use aircon all the time, not just in the few weeks that its mega hot...

Very good point, although after 6 years it would definitely be requiring a regas anyway. To keep the seals lubricated and excess moisture out of system then 5 minutes of A/C running every 2 weeks should do the trick.

[harveybobbles]

I just leave mine on all the time. Using the Mother In Laws car this week cos she wants me to do some jobs on it while shes in hospital and she told me not to use the Added Cost button lol.

[ArsenalFC]

You should test the air con to see if it's still cold enough for the summer months.
If it is cold enough, I don't think you need to regas it.

As others said maybe it's good to have a regas to keep the components in good condition. Air con is so handy not just for the summer, I use it in the winter to get rid of moisture on the front screen so I can drive off asap.

[Inactive]

I just leave mine on all the time. Using the Mother In Laws car this week cos she wants me to do some jobs on it while shes in hospital and she told me not to use the Added Cost button lol.

She has a point, it does add cost.;)

[harveybobbles]

So does having the sunroof/windows open. That causes more drag than having the AC on to be honest...

[thescouselander]

There were plenty of places round here doing aircon recharges for £40. Thats just the basic take the old gas out and put new in. If you suspect you might have a leak you might be better going for a full service that will cost more.

[Inactive]

So does having the sunroof/windows open. That causes more drag than having the AC on to be honest...

Having a window slightly open, certainly doesn't cost as much as the additional fuel used, when running the AC.;)

[gaz_jones]

Having a window slightly open, certainly doesn't cost as much as the additional fuel used, when running the AC.;)

Is this true? I have always wondered what is worse...Aircon on or windows open...

[Ebe Scrooge]

Is this true? I have always wondered what is worse...Aircon on or windows open...

Reports that I've read seem to agree that aircon is cheaper than having a window open. But either option will increase the fuel consumption to a marked degree. As has been previously mentioned, it's wise to run the aircon for 10 minutes or so every couple of weeks to keep everything lubricated, but don't leave it on all the time for the sake of it, that will cost a fair bit in extra fuel.

[Pew Pew Pew Lasers!]

But either option will increase the fuel consumption to a marked degree.

Not on all cars. I can confirm that on both my Mercedes and my previous Audi running the AC compressor made absolutely no difference whatsoever to fuel economy.

[Hintza]

Running air-con on a 1.3 will add significantly more than running it on a 3.0l.

[Pew Pew Pew Lasers!]

That depends entirely on how the compressor is powered. On some cars, it makes no practical difference whatsoever whether it is on or not.

[thescouselander]

Not on all cars. I can confirm that on both my Mercedes and my previous Audi running the AC compressor made absolutely no difference whatsoever to fuel economy.

Yeah, same here with my BMW.

[superstylin]

I remember a mythbuster episode where they ran two identical pick ups against each other at the same speed - one with windows down and one using air con. The one using air con ran out of fuel a fair bit before the other (they had the same amount of fuel to start) - I'm assuming the result might be different depending on the car though

[harveybobbles]

Is this true? I have always wondered what is worse...Aircon on or windows open...

There's only one way to find out...






FIIIIIIIGHTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!

[Inactive]

I recall hiring a Ford KA in Spain, turned the AC on, it almost ground to a halt, and the fuel consumption rocketed.

I swiftly turned it off and opened the drivers window a few inches...sorted.

[gaz_jones]

Well had a little play around on my way home from work yesterday. I was getting an average of 37mpg with the windows closed and no a/c. Opened the window for 10 miles and was getting on average 29mpg. Closed windows and turned on A/C and mpg went up to around 32mps.

Its worth noting I was travelling about 60/70 the whole way so speed was roughly the same.

I read somewhere online that if travelling under around 45mpg then windows open is a better option. If travelling over that then a/c is better option.

[cadburyminiroll]

In one word yes! I'm in the motor trade and have a local chap who specialises in coming out mobile and doing it at your home. He knows what he's doing and doesn't skimp on the job (as some do including Kwik Fit) and due to being mobile is extremely competitive. Once recharged you'll notice just how much cooder it is and by having it done will prolong the life of the air con components as the old moisture/dirt in the system will be vacuumed out first (if the person doing it is doing it properly), and once regassed they will also renew the compressor oil. Well worth getting the yellow pages out and asking for a quote for regassing, and asking how long they will vacuum the system before regassing. If they say an hour or so then your looking at a reputable specialist...if not then they're cutting corners. Also shouldn't cost more than £60 and if you try your luck you could keep bartering them with the best quote, especially of one sounds more extensive a specialist than the other, but the other is cheaper.
we attempt to regas vehicles, after 30 minutes of being on the machine if it will not regas, then it has a leak, and therefore we do not charge!! people who do not regas or use their aircon systems, run the risk of the o rings shrinking and allow a slow seepage of gas. over a long period of time. i am fed up with hearing about people slagging off kwik fit, we do not charge for checking anything, and if the result is unsuccessful, we do not charge also, just refer to an air con repairer! we check everything for free, aircon, tracking, exhausts, batteries, lights, tyres.....most main dealers charge £90 upwards for aircon regas wether it is successful or not..so how can kwik fit be slated for what we do????!!! totally fed up with the way this forum is slagging kwik fit off, lets all jump on the bandwagon eh? i notice the things we do for free never get mentioned including tyre valve replacement, gasket replacement, tyre pressures...battery checks exhausts checks brake checks and anything else you can think of!!! oh and by the way, our aircon regas takes 1 hour 15 minutes....apologies accepted by return of posting thankyou!!!!

[thescouselander]

we attempt to regas vehicles, after 30 minutes of being on the machine if it will not regas, then it has a leak, and therefore we do not charge!! people who do not regas or use their aircon systems, run the risk of the o rings shrinking and allow a slow seepage of gas. over a long period of time. i am fed up with hearing about people slagging off kwik fit, we do not charge for checking anything, and if the result is unsuccessful, we do not charge also, just refer to an air con repairer! we check everything for free, aircon, tracking, exhausts, batteries, lights, tyres.....most main dealers charge £90 upwards for aircon regas wether it is successful or not..so how can kwik fit be slated for what we do????!!! totally fed up with the way this forum is slagging kwik fit off, lets all jump on the bandwagon eh? i notice the things we do for free never get mentioned including tyre valve replacement, gasket replacement, tyre pressures...battery checks exhausts checks brake checks and anything else you can think of!!! oh and by the way, our aircon regas takes 1 hour 15 minutes....apologies accepted by return of posting thankyou!!!!


I had my car re-gassed at Kwik Fit and I was happy with the result.

[Ivrytwr3]

well obviously you are different to the Monkeys i have had dealings with at Kwik Fit. Unfortunately you are also in the minority.

On the few occassions i have taken my cars to Kwik Fit they will carry out an inspection for free, but this has always resulted in a bill when they 'find' work.

Also, their tyre prices are ridiculous, i was quoted £170 for one tyre, when for £130 i could get a mobile van to come to my home/place of work and fit it (they wouldn't price match either, just offered me a cheaper brand tyre).

But good on you for trying to make a difference.

[jeannieblue]

There were plenty of places round here doing aircon recharges for £40. Thats just the basic take the old gas out and put new in. If you suspect you might have a leak you might be better going for a full service that will cost more.
Don't forget the law has changed - you are not allowed to regas if you suspect a leak - ie the system is completely empty.

We used to recharge and put dye in the system - excellent way to find a leak. Can't do that anymore....

Bit of a pain really as not only will it be harder to find the leak, but it will take more time and hence, more cost to the customer..

[Sidmon]

we attempt to regas vehicles, after 30 minutes of being on the machine if it will not regas, then it has a leak, and therefore we do not charge!! people who do not regas or use their aircon systems, run the risk of the o rings shrinking and allow a slow seepage of gas. over a long period of time. i am fed up with hearing about people slagging off kwik fit, we do not charge for checking anything, and if the result is unsuccessful, we do not charge also, just refer to an air con repairer! we check everything for free, aircon, tracking, exhausts, batteries, lights, tyres.....most main dealers charge £90 upwards for aircon regas wether it is successful or not..so how can kwik fit be slated for what we do????!!! totally fed up with the way this forum is slagging kwik fit off, lets all jump on the bandwagon eh? i notice the things we do for free never get mentioned including tyre valve replacement, gasket replacement, tyre pressures...battery checks exhausts checks brake checks and anything else you can think of!!! oh and by the way, our aircon regas takes 1 hour 15 minutes....apologies accepted by return of posting thankyou!!!!

I'm intrigued by your vitriolic defense of Kwik Fit, although I take on board your point about the "free" nature of your checks, unfortunately too often (and by this I do not every branch, but a good proportion of) they are just an opportunity to fleece vunerable customers of more cash.

I do accept though that Kwik Fit can sometimes be convenient and your point about main dealers couldn't be more valid either, they are generally another "fleecer", but at the same time some are reputable and do put the customer first, just a shame they are few and far between!

If you want evidence about Kwif Fit's operations, here it is:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=20650677#post20650677