What is the pressure of a car air conditioner?
2 Answers
Car air conditioner pressure is: the low pressure is between 1.0 to 2.5 bar, and the high pressure is between 15 to 18 bar. The normal high pressure of a car air conditioner should be 1.3 to 1.7 MPa (13 to 17 kg per square centimeter or 190 to 250 Lbf); the normal low pressure should be between 0.15 to 0.25 MPa (1.5 to 2.5 kg per square centimeter or 20 to 35 Lbf). The car air conditioner is used to adjust and control the temperature, humidity, air cleanliness, and air flow inside the car compartment to the optimal state, providing a comfortable riding environment for passengers, reducing travel fatigue, creating good working conditions for the driver, and playing an important role in ensuring safe driving as a ventilation device.
We veteran drivers have seen plenty of car AC pressure issues. Generally, the low-side pressure should stay between 25 to 40 psi, while the high-side ranges around 150 to 250 psi, depending on your vehicle's refrigerant type and ambient temperature. For instance, pressure tends to spike during summer heatwaves but drops low in winter. Don’t overlook this—my buddy’s car had unstable pressure leading to AC failure, and it turned out to be a refrigerant leak. To measure pressure yourself, just connect a gauge to the high and low-pressure ports—simple but be cautious of high-pressure burns. If readings go out of range, get it fixed immediately to avoid compressor failure. Regular checks prevent hose bursts or system failures, improving driving comfort. Remember, proper pressure ensures efficient and fuel-saving AC operation.