Choosing an auto air conditioning service

When your car air conditioning breaks, you'll want it fixed fast. So, how do you find a quality car air conditioning repair shop? Here are some steps to take.

• Make sure your repair shop is properly certified
  
  See this list of car repair shops specializing in air conditioning repair. Check whether the repair shop you choose is licensed with the National Institute for Automobile Service Excellence. Also, check with the local chapter of the Better Business Bureau to learn whether anyone has filed a complaint against the company.
  
  After you've narrowed your search to a few repair shops, check to determine whether each has been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency — if they are not certified, it is illegal for them to work on your air conditioning system.
  
  
• Get a detailed estimate on car repairs


Once you're ready to begin the repair, get a detailed estimate in advance of all parts and labor costs and ask the repair shop to call you for approval if the cost will exceed the estimate by 10 percent.

If your car's A/C system is in need of repair, it's best not to wait until the heat of the summer months to do something about it. Get it fixed before you need to use it.

Taking care of your car's air conditioning system

When it comes to your automobile's air conditioning system, you'll be best served if you perform regular preventive maintenance, which will save you both money and headaches in the long run.

A couple of checks you can perform on your own:

• Run your car's air conditioning system for at least five minutes each month, even in winter, to ensure that all seals remain sufficiently lubricated.
  
• Check your antifreeze level periodically to prevent your car from overheating.

Know you car's air conditioning system

It's a good idea to get to know how your car's air conditioning system works before you have to take your car to be serviced. Learn about specific problems and repairs beforehand so you won’t be blown away by surprises and huge repair bills later.

The four components of your car's air conditioning system are:

• Compressor: Powered by the engine's drive belt, the compressor's primary function is to compress and pressurize cool gas in the first step to becoming conditioned air.
• Condenser: Located in front of the radiator, the condenser uses airflow from the engine fan to convert gas from the compressor to liquid.
• Expansion Device: As the high-pressure liquid exits the condenser and drier, the pressure is reduced considerably, thereby cooling the liquid.
• Evaporator: The resulting cool liquid is sent to the evaporator where it mixes with warm air. When it does, it immediately evaporates and delivers cold, clean air through your car's vents.