Air Conditioning Service
Here in the desert, especially in the summer, the vehicle's air conditioning system is just about mandatory. For many people with respiratory problems, it is mandatory. Most people use them a minimum of 8 to 10 months each year, and some people just keep them on year around, based on the vehicle's system climate control. Whatever your driving habits, here are the most frequently asked questions concerning air conditioning and what we do when we check and service your vehicle's air conditioner.
When should my air conditioning system be checked? - The obvious answer is before the weather gets too warm. However, it is warm all the time in the desert. Some people have the A/C system checked every second or third oil change. Some people have it checked before spring each year. Some people wait until it just doesn't work anymore. While we don't advise the latter, we do advise you to set a maintenance schedule for your A/C that assures you that you will not be left out in the... HOT. A/C service is relatively low cost maintenance and keeps small problems from becoming expensive ones. You may want to accelerate the time schedule set forth in your vehicle owner's manual since they are not normally written with our extreme conditions in mind. Certainly go no longer than the manual's recommendations.
What is the Air Conditioning Service process? - We do a complete system evaluation to determine if the system is performing to the level anticipated for the vehicle's age and condition. We also check belts and hoses. Since many people are driving vehicles for more years now, especially in A/C service, age is a definite factor in service decisions. If the system is in the sub-acceptable group, we do a complete system test for defects, pinpointing problem areas. We present all options to you. The ultimate decision is yours.
What is the environmental impact with Air Conditioning? - Because the refrigerant used in most air conditioning systems is considered harmful to the environment, it is critical that it not be allowed to escape into the atmosphere during servicing. Because of this factor, many service facilities have chosen not to do A/C work any longer. The equipment is very expensive and the government scrutiny is high, not to mention severe penalties for violations. We do, however, service all automotive A/C units to government and manufacturers standards. Actually, we service them to our standards, which are much higher. In order to maintain our chosen responsible position on the environment, our A/C technicians begin each air conditioning service procedure with a complete system leak detection test, then, if service is needed, use a sealed, environmentally friendly process which captures the refrigerant, cleans it, replenishes it and returns it to your vehicle's A/C system. We care about the environment as well as caring about our customer; we try to take personal and professional care of both.
What if my older vehicle still uses Freon? - Air conditioning systems in vehicles built before 1995 use the refrigerant R-12 or (CFC-12) also commonly referred to as Freon. The government environmental watchdog, the EPA, has determined that Freon was destroying the Earth's ozone layer. Hence, in 1995 all legitimate US Freon production ceased. Freon from legitimate sources is now extremely expensive and very difficult to find; some sources are grey market, others are just outright illegal. We offer a retrofit service that enables your A/C system to use the comparatively inexpensive R-134a refrigerant that is found in more recently manufactured vehicles. The retrofit usually pays for itself in cost savings alone on the refrigerant. If you own a vehicle that is pre-1995 or pre-R-134a, and you plan to keep it, the retrofit service procedure may well be for you.
What does a typical vehicle A/C retrofit service include? - All retrofit situations are considered and estimated on an individual basis. We have done many and know the benefits and pitfalls well. As you can assume, there are many different vehicles from different manufacturers; many require slightly different procedures from others. As a general practice, we evacuate all R-12 and most of the existing refrigerant oils from the air conditioning system. In most cases, certain parts, such as the O-rings, hoses, the accumulator or the receiver/dryer, must be replaced to assure compatibility with R-134a. In many cases, if not most cases, those same parts would normally be replaced in a major A/C service anyway, even with Freon. Additionally, special fittings and placard labels must be placed on the vehicle to properly identify that it has been retrofitted. This is required by law and is a mandatory part of any A/C retrofit procedure done by us (or anyone else). It should be noted, a retrofit does not in itself repair or eliminate a broken A/C system. If your A/C is not cooling properly, a complete diagnosis must be performed to determine the underlying problem. Keep in mind that the A/C system is only as strong as its weakest link. Once you repair that weak point, it is now only as strong as the next weak link. Only after that evaluation can a decision be made whether to repair the A/C system and to possibly retrofit. If parts that are normally used in the retrofit must be replaced anyway, then the decision is perhaps, easier. If a retrofit is desired or even contemplated, then it is beneficial to know about that possibility when planning the repair.
If I choose NOT to retrofit, can I still get parts and freon for my older unit? - Without any hesitation, we can give you a very straightforward and honest answer... Maybe! Even though the industry is moving away from Freon as a refrigerant, many of the older and more popular systems still have OEM and other quality replacement parts available. R-12 is expensive but the possibility is there for some older vehicles, at least at the present.
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