When you turn on your AC in your vehicle, you expect your vehicle to pump out cool air. If that doesn't happen when you turn on your vehicle's AC system, then you need to take your car in for an AC tune-up.

#1: Refrigerant Is the Heart of Your AC System

In your vehicle, the heart of your air conditioning system is based on the use of a gas known as a refrigerant. Different vehicles use different refrigerants, but the way the refrigerant is used is similar in most systems.

The gas is first compressed and then cooled off inside of the condenser of your vehicle. The condenser is usually mounted in front of the radiator. Then, the gas expands inside the evaporator, which is located in the dash. As the refrigerant expands, it pulls in the heat from the interior of your vehicle, with the cool gas being piped to the compressor, working together with multiple parts to cool off the air inside of your vehicle. The refrigerant is necessary for all the parts of your air conditioning system to work.

#2: Recharging the System

Ideally, the refrigerant will stay inside of your air conditioning system. However, sometimes it leaks out, and when it does, you have to go and get your AC recharged. When you get your AC recharged, the first thing the mechanic will do is check the system pressure using special gauges. If the pressure is just a little low, the mechanic can inspect the system to see where it is leaking. If the pressure is extremely low, the mechanic will have to add refrigerant into the system to find any leaks before looking for leaks. 

Once the leaks are found, the refrigerant will be removed from the system, and then the leak will be fixed. Once the leak is fixed, then a new refrigerant can be added to the system. This whole process typically takes a couple of hours to complete if the mechanic does a complete set of diagnostics on your system.

#3: When to Get a Recharge

When to get a recharge is simple. If you notice that your air conditioning system is pumping out warm air instead of cool air, it is time to get your AC system recharged. Some people like to get their AC inspected at the start of each spring to ensure no leaks will be an issue down the road. For more information, you can contact auto AC refrigerant charge services. 

Refrigerant is at the heart of your vehicle's AC system. If your AC system isn't blowing out cool air, your refrigerant is more than likely low, and you probably have a leak in the system.