Is It Necessary to Clean the Car Air Conditioning?

[MacAllison]

Cleaning the car air conditioning is necessary. After prolonged use, the car air conditioning system can accumulate dust and dirt in areas such as the air intake, air ducts, fans, and evaporator surfaces. This can lead to mold growth in the air ducts, resulting in a noticeable decrease in cooling efficiency and the presence of unpleasant odors. Steps for cleaning the car air conditioning: 1. Start the car and turn on the air conditioning system, then turn off the cooling function and set the air conditioning to recirculation mode; 2. Close all car doors and windows, let the system run for 5 to 10 minutes, then activate the cooling function while keeping the air conditioning at maximum fan speed and in recirculation mode; 3. Open the bottle cap, place the bottle in front of the passenger seat, press the valve on the bottle to allow the product to spray naturally, then turn off the car air conditioning and open the doors and windows for ventilation for 1 to 2 minutes to complete the cleaning process.

[Eliana]

When I first bought my car, I also thought that cleaning the air conditioner was unnecessary, until one day the air it blew out had a musty smell, so I went to get it cleaned. When I opened it up, I was shocked to see that the evaporator was covered in gray-black mold patches. The technician said these mold spores could cause allergies, especially harmful to the elderly and children. Long-term neglect can also clog the air ducts, reducing the cooling effect. When driving on the highway in summer, I clearly felt that the cold air was stronger and cooler after cleaning. Moreover, the air filter only costs a few dozen bucks, and cleaning is just around a hundred, which is much more cost-effective than replacing the entire air conditioning system. I recommend cleaning it at least once a year before the season changes, especially in humid southern regions, for the sake of both health and the car.

[StevenDella]

From a cost perspective, regular cleaning is absolutely worthwhile. I've done the math - a professional cleaning costs around 150-300 yuan, whereas long-term neglect leading to compressor damage can result in thousands in repair fees. Mold growth also reduces airflow, forcing you to lower the temperature in summer and increasing fuel consumption by up to 5%. Most importantly, there's the health factor. Last year, my nephew kept sneezing in the car and was diagnosed with an allergy to AC dust, costing over 600 yuan in medical fees. The problem disappeared immediately after cleaning. Now I advise friends to clean every 15,000 km or with seasonal changes - it protects the AC's lifespan and saves money.

[DiIsabella]

Car AC cleaning is like a health check-up for humans – it may seem fine on the surface but actually harbors hidden risks. During operation, dust and lint accumulate on the evaporator surface, while mold proliferates rapidly in humid conditions. These contaminants circulate through the vents inside the car, easily triggering coughs and sneezes in people with sensitive respiratory systems. Once when I had a client in my car, the AC odor forced him to keep the windows open throughout the ride – it was particularly awkward. After cleaning, the most noticeable improvements are cleaner, fresher airflow and faster cooling. Especially during long drives, the fresh air makes driving more comfortable and helps prevent drowsiness.

[VanAaron]

My maintenance experience tells me that 80% of air conditioning failures are caused by long-term lack of cleaning. Last week, I worked on a five-year-old car with poor cooling and a sour smell. Upon disassembly, we found the evaporator covered in thick mold, with leaves and insect carcasses stuck in the air ducts. These contaminants increase the load on the air conditioning system and shorten the compressor's lifespan. After cleaning, not only did the cooling performance recover, but the odor also disappeared. I recommend a thorough cleaning every 20,000 kilometers, along with replacing the cabin air filter. For daily use, turning off the AC and switching to high fan speed before parking can reduce condensation buildup.