What are the steps for cleaning a car's air conditioning system?
3 Answers
The steps for cleaning a car's air conditioning system are: 1. Purchase air conditioning cleaner and prepare a cloth; 2. Remove the air conditioning filter; 3. Clean the air conditioning filter; 4. Lower the car windows, turn on the air conditioning, and increase the fan speed; 5. Activate the external circulation mode; 6. Turn on the AC switch and let the air conditioning system run for about 10 minutes; 7. Reinstall the air conditioning filter. The reasons for cleaning the car's air conditioning system are: 1. Dust and dirt accumulate at the air intake, air ducts, fan, and evaporator surface, leading to mold growth in the air ducts; 2. Reduced cooling capacity of the air conditioning and noticeable odors; 3. Prolonged exposure to a cabin filled with mold and odors can harm the driver's health or cause illnesses.
I often clean my car's air conditioning system myself, which feels quite practical. The steps are simple: first, turn off the engine and prepare cleaning spray, gloves, and a mask for protection; then open the hood and locate the air filter (usually inside a plastic box near the front passenger side), carefully removing the old filter. Next, spray the cleaning agent into the air intake (avoiding electronic components), and after spraying, start the car, turn on the AC to maximum fan speed in recirculation mode, and let it run for 5-10 minutes to clear dust and bacteria. Finally, turn off the AC and engine, wipe away any residue, and install the new filter. The whole process saves time and money, eliminates odors, and keeps the air fresh—I recommend doing it once a year before summer to prevent mold issues.
The first time I tried cleaning my car's air conditioning, I felt a bit flustered but managed to complete it. The general process: first, park and turn off the engine for safety; wear gloves and a mask to prevent inhaling chemical fumes; locate the filter in the airbox and gently pull it out; then evenly spray the cleaning agent into the air intake vent (located below the windshield); start the engine and turn on the AC system, setting it to maximum internal circulation for a few minutes to let it cycle thoroughly; after finishing, turn off the engine and replace it with a new filter, pressing it firmly. Be careful not to wet any electrical components during the process. After cleaning, the air inside the car improved significantly, with no musty smell left. If you're worried about messing up, you can watch video tutorials or seek professional help, but trying it yourself really saves money.