Maintaining your car or truck's air conditioning service is important so it will be ready to use when you need it. The system does not require much to keep it running but there are some things that should be checked regularly. It is also a good idea to have the system inspected before you start using it for the season.

Getting Ready For The Heat

Making sure your air conditioning is working and ready when summer hits is important if you live in a climate that is hot, humid or both. So where do you start? A complete inspection of the system is important and will tell you if there are any parts that need to be replaced or repaired. Take a close look at each part, testing it if you can.

Check Your Belts

One of the biggest failures of any air conditioning system is a broken belt. The belt runs over the engine pulley and then to the air conditioner's compressor. If the belt breaks, the compressor will not spin and there will be no cool air coming through the system. Checking the belts before the warm season starts is a great way to ensure this doesn't happen to you. If the belt is worn, has pieces missing, or is cracked, replacing the belt is the best option.

Inspect the Compressor For Damage

While you can not look at the compressor and see whether it will work or not. You can take a few minutes to look at the pulley, the brackets, the wiring, and the hoses on the compressor and try to spot any damage to them. If you see anything that does not look right, you should take the car or truck in to be checked by a certified mechanic. There are garages that specialize in air conditioning work but if you don't have one, check with your local shop to see if they do AC work.

Turning On The Air

One last check you can do yourself is to simply turn on the air conditioning. It sounds simple but it is a good way to test the system and ensure the switch is working as well. Start the car and then turn the air on to low. Let it run and see if it gets cold. You can turn the fan up and check each of the speed settings as you feel comfortable. If the air does not get cold and everything else looks okay on the compressor and rest of the system, take the car or truck in. The system needs to be check for proper coolant levels and to ensure the compressor is working.

For more information, talk to a professional like Modern Auto Air.