How Often Should a Car Air Conditioner Be Maintained?
2 Answers
How often should a car air conditioner be cleaned and maintained: 1. If the car air conditioner has not been used for a long time, it generally needs to be cleaned once before use: After the air conditioner is stopped in summer, a thorough cleaning of the car air conditioner is required. Components such as the evaporator, ventilation ducts, air conditioning grille, and filter should all be carefully cleaned. 2. The car air conditioner filter should ideally be cleaned every month: Adjust the cleaning cycle of the filter according to the frequency of use and the environment. If the filter has been used for more than 20,000 kilometers, the activated carbon filtration function in the air filter will diminish. At this point, it is best to replace the air filter to save more fuel. 3. The car air conditioner should be cleaned at least once a year: Research shows that if a car air conditioner is not cleaned for a long time, it will accumulate a lot of dust, leading to air pollution. Inhaling this polluted air can affect the health of the user. It is best to have professionals at a 4S shop perform the cleaning. 4. When the car air conditioner emits an odor, it needs to be cleaned: If an odor is detected from the car air conditioner, it is usually due to mold in the air filter or condenser. First, check if it is a mold issue. If so, clean the car air conditioner filter based on the actual situation. If the condenser is moldy, it is necessary to go to a 4S repair shop or seek professional help for cleaning.
Having driven for over twenty years, I've found that car air conditioning maintenance is quite important. Generally, servicing it every one to two years is most appropriate, depending on usage. For instance, living in the north where summers are mild, I service it every two years; in hotter southern regions, I get it done annually before summer. Maintenance includes replacing the cabin air filter, checking refrigerant levels, and system cleaning. Neglecting it leads to unpleasant odors in the car and poor cooling, making driving stuffy and uncomfortable. From my personal experience, regular maintenance extends the AC's lifespan and keeps driving pleasant. Never delay until problems arise – major repairs then cost more and cause unnecessary hassle.
