Blog Layout
"MY CAR'S A/C IS BLOWING HOT AIR!" THE EVERYTHING AUTO BLOG: AUTOMOTIVE AIR CONDITIONING SERIES PART 1
American Pride Automotive • Apr 19, 2013
Are you feeling the heat yet? We know we are, and if your car’s air conditioning isn’t working up to speed, we’re willing to bet you are too. Take heart! American Pride Automotive is here to handle all of your vehicle’s A/C systemissues and make sure that you stay cool this summer wherever the road takes you.
Over the next few weeks, the Everything Auto Blog will be all about automotive air conditioning and possible issues your A/C system might face as the weather continues to get hotter.
The first problem we will consider is one that many drivers run into when they first turn on the A/C after a long winter:
Air is blowing, but it isn’t cold!
If your A/C seems to be operating normally (i.e. no hissing sounds or other alarming noises) but is blowing a bunch of hot air, it’s likely that your vehicle is low on refrigerant and in need of a recharge.
It’s a common misconception that cars gradually lose refrigerant over time due to evaporation. The truth is, if your vehicle’s refrigerant is low, you’ve got a leak in the system that needs repair. Taking your vehicle to a mechanic for a simple A/C recharge without repairing the source of the leak is a waste of your time and money because the new refrigerant is bound to leak out again. This means that though air is blowing cold as you drive away from the repair shop, chances are that it will be warm again by the time you start your car the next morning!
Unsure if your car’s A/C problem is related to low refrigerant? Turn on the ignition and the A/C and listen closely. You should hear the clicking of the compressor clutch engaging, and if it clicks frequently (or not at all), you can be fairly certain that the car is in need of repair and a recharge. It’s important to repair an air conditioning system leak as soon as you notice the signs. Ignoring it for too long can cause total compressor failure (which is a lot more expensive to fix).
Safety note: Unless you are an ASE-certified mechanic, do not try to repair your vehicle’s air conditioning system yourself. Refrigerant gases are highly pressurized and can seriously injure you if handled improperly.
If you think your car’s air conditioning refrigerant is low, bring it into American Pride. We specialize in A/C repair and maintenance, and we will fully inspect/repair all system components before sending you off with a recharge. Not having any A/C issues? Keep in mind that experts recommend you have your air conditioning system inspected every two years in order to prevent more serious problems later.
Give American Pride Automotive a call, or stop in. We’re happy to help. And remember to check back next week for more Everything Auto A/C tips!
We want to say thank you to all of our healthcare and first responders. Please accept this specialized offer.
You’re driving home at night and it is raining cats and dogs. You can’t see but 20 feet in front of your car, but you’ve slowed down and are being extra cautious, so what could go wrong? Then you feel it. A sinking Cl-clunk. Maybe that “puddle” you saw ahead of you was deeper than just a puddle. Before you know it, your car is stalling in the high water in the middle of the road. Now what? First off, don’t panic. Turn on your hazards and crank the ignition once. If the car starts, make it dry land and pull over to assess the damage. If it does not start the first time, do not try to start it again. Doing so can result in a hydro locked engine and will likely necessitate the rebuilding or replacement of the engine. Unfortunately, if you find yourself stalling in water at all, your vehicle will probably need costly repairs. The best way to avoid water damage is to practice safe and smart driving in wet weather, which brings us to Part 2 of the Everything Auto “Blame it on the Rain” series (Find Part 1 here). Take heed of these severe weather driving tips: 1. TAKE NO CHANCES ON PUDDLES Even if the standing water ahead of you looks shallow enough to drive through, think twice. If the water is “rushing” or if other drivers are making a point to avoid it, don’t assume that your vehicle is the exception. Additionally, you never know the hazards that lay at the bottom of a puddle. Hidden potholes or debris can pierce your tires and jostle your alignment and suspension system. 2. IF YOU MUST TAKE A CHANCE, TAKE IT SLOW AND STEADY When you deem it necessary and safe to drive through water of questionable depth, go slowly. Speeding through a puddle, even a shallow one, can splash water into your vehicle’s intake and critically harm the engine. Like we mentioned last week, after driving through standing water, lightly tap your brakes to make sure they aren’t saturated and to dry them off. 3. KEEP A ROADSIDE EMERGENCY KIT HANDY Sometimes, no matter how careful you are on the road, accidents and vehicle malfunctions happen, especially in wet severe weather. That’s why it is extremely important to keep emergency supplies ready in the trunk for the worst case scenario. You can buy a preassembled one, but it is cheaper (and more rewarding) to assemble your own. What should you include? Edmunds.com provides an excellent comprehensive list of items, a few of which include: 12-foot jumper cables Four 15 minute road flares Two quarts of oil A gallon of antifreeze A first-aid kit. Find the rest of the list here We hope that this series has given you helpful safety insights and tips for driving in the rain! Remember that American Pride Automotive is always here to help and ready to answer any and all of your auto repair and maintenance questions! Call or contact us today.
Along with flat tires and low or faulty batteries, an overheating engine is one of the leading causes of car breakdowns. An engine can overheat for many reasons, but coolant issues are often to blame.
ONCE I HAVE REGISTERED MY VEHICLE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA, HOW LONG DO I HAVE BEFORE MY VEHICLE MUST BE INSPECTED?
There is no grace period. Once you have registered a vehicle with the Division of Motor Vehicles in the state of Virginia, it must be inspected immediately.
Your vehicle's powertrain can last for hundreds of thousands of miles with proper maintenance and minor repairs in most cases. Unfortunately, major, unexpected problems can happen in which your only option is a replacement of the engine or transmission.
Sometimes it's simply time to buy a new or used vehicle that you LOVE at the right price.
This increased risk makes driving while fatigued almost as dangerous as driving while tipsy.
Our cars and trucks carry us from point A to point B all year long and everyday use can create significant wear and tear that may not make itself obvious until a long road trip.
While most leaks are caused by damaged outer seams on the evaporator core, others are a result of corrosion inside the unit.
For July, August and September, $5.00 from every State Inspection performed was set aside for this quarter's community: star Hospice House & Support Care of Williamsburg.