"Aircon needs regassing" - what if we leave it for a bit?

cajef

Stoke wrote: »

Burning away fuel unnecessarily.

Great!

Another myth, on modern systems the amount of extra fuel used in hardly going to effect overall fuel consumption.

skivenov

Maybe not, but what's the point? Might just be me, but aircon always makes me feel like I've got a head cold.

cajef

skivenov wrote: »

Maybe not, but what's the point? Might just be me, but aircon always makes me feel like I've got a head cold.

Personal choice a bit like the debate between manual and automatic cars, I prefer the benefits of aircon more comfortable in the occasional hot weather we may be lucky to get in summer in the UK, speed in reducing heat in vehicle when stood in sunlight etc., and the reduction in condensation in colder climates.

People use more fuel with a heavy right foot than the aircon uses.

EdGasket

harveybobbles wrote: »

I wish all cars had build in aircon that couldnt be turned off.

It annoys me when people say "oh we dont need air con, we live in the UK ha ha ha.."

Mine is on all year round.

Using Air-Con when not necessary wastes fuel and money. Do you think it is keeping you nice and cool for free? Does your fridge-freezer run at zero cost too? I don't think so.

AdrianC

If you don't run the aircon regularly, then the seals in the compressor dry up, shrink slightly, and the gas leaks out. If you regas it after that, then it'll leak out again. Once the gas pressure drops then, as has been mentioned, the system won't allow the clutch on the compressor to kick in, so it won't run, so the seals will etc etc. Vicious circle.

If you want it to work when you need it, use it regularly. TBH, you'll quickly realise just how useful it is on damp days, when the dry air is by far and away the best and quickest way of clearing windows.

Yes, it uses a little more fuel than strictly necessary. But so does opening a window at anything above urban speeds. So, frankly, does the driving style of most people...

harveybobbles

Stoke wrote: »

Burning away fuel unnecessarily.

Great!

How?

By having the a/c on all the time:

I never have to buy cloths to wipe my inside windows.

My a/c system works fully and has never let me down or needed any parts in 9 years.


there is probably more drag caused by having the sunroof/windows open.

harveybobbles

EdGasket wrote: »

Using Air-Con when not necessary wastes fuel and money. Do you think it is keeping you nice and cool for free? Does your fridge-freezer run at zero cost too? I don't think so.

Driving around with empty seats wastes money and fuel.

shall I take the rear seat out when I don't really need it?

What about PAS? Maybe I should pull over on the motorway and empty the reservoir as I dont need PAS for straight line.

Or remove the wipers in the summer?

EdGasket

harveybobbles wrote: »

Driving around with empty seats wastes money and fuel.

shall I take the rear seat out when I don't really need it?

What about PAS? Maybe I should pull over on the motorway and empty the reservoir as I dont need PAS for straight line.

Or remove the wipers in the summer?

You are an idiot, Sir.

Nodding_Donkey

deanos wrote: »

how did they know it was low ?

I'd also love to know the answer ti this.

Is the aircon working?

If it is it's fine.

harveybobbles

Nodding_Donkey wrote: »

I'd also love to know the answer ti this.

Is the aircon working?

If it is it's fine.

They either test it by hooking it up to the maching to see the fluid levels/pressure.

Pop a thermometer in one of the air vents.

Or simply by setting it at its lowest to see if if chills enough.