How Often Should You Recharge the Refrigerant in a Car?
1 Answers
Refrigerant, also known as coolant, generally needs to be recharged every 5-8 years, assuming the car's air conditioning system is of normal quality. This excludes low-quality AC systems or used cars. If you notice a decline in cooling performance within two years, it's advisable to check for damage or leaks in the car's air conditioning system. Detailed explanations are provided below: 1. Reasons why a car's air conditioning system may require frequent refrigerant recharge: (1) Condenser and radiator; The cooling efficiency of the condenser and radiator can also affect the performance of the air conditioning system. Prolonged lack of cleaning can lead to the condenser and radiator being covered with debris and dust. (2) Quality of the expansion valve; The expansion valve is a critical component in the refrigeration system, typically installed between the liquid reservoir and the evaporator. A low-quality expansion valve may prevent the refrigerant from functioning as intended. (3) Use of refrigerant; During the refrigerant recharge process, the amount of refrigerant must be neither too much nor too little. Too little will result in insufficient pressure in the AC pipes, while too much will cause excessive pressure. In both cases, the air conditioning system will fail to operate and cool properly. (4) Quality and purity of the refrigerant; The quality and purity of the refrigerant play a crucial role in the vehicle's air conditioning system. Typically, low-quality refrigerant can lead to inefficient operation of the air conditioning system.