Tips for Increasing the Life of Your Truck's AC
Tips for Increasing the Life of Your Truck's AC
Posted on April 2, 2021
In the height of summer, working days in a truck can be tough enough without needing to worry about the soaring temperature. The air conditioning fitted in your truck may not be the most exciting or impressive feature you settled on when choosing your model at the dealership, but if it fails in the summer heat you'll certainly notice its absence.
Preventative maintenance is key to extending the life of your AC unit, and here are five automobile air conditioning tips you can follow to ensure you stay cool in the cab, whatever the weather outside.
1) Clean the System
If your AC unit needs to fight through layers of dirt and grime, it'll be much less efficient and be working under far more stress than it needs to. Check your grille, radiator, and condenser for debris which block smooth air flow into the cabin, helping to keep the workload on your air conditioning unit at a manageable level.
2) Check the Fan Belt
Similarly, a slack or faulty fan belt will be less effective at keeping your truck's temperature down, and your AC will need to put in extra effort to keep the cabin cool. The fan belt should be checked as part of your truck's regular servicing schedule, but it definitely doesn't hurt to give it a quick inspection from time to time. Look for fraying edges, slack tension, or discoloration, and book a full inspection at our service centre if anything looks out of place.
3) Flush the Radiator
An efficient radiator makes the AC unit's life much easier. Every couple of years, the whole system should be flushed and coolants replaced to stop impurities from building up and slowing the system down. The less effectively the radiator operates, the more strain your AC will be put under, and the quicker it'll head toward failure.
4) Use the AC Regularly
If you only use your AC when the weather hits extreme highs, you risk a build up of mildew, dust, and other pollutants in the system, reducing its effectiveness. Get into the habit of giving your AC a workout every now and then, even if you don't feel the need to cool your truck. As the system works, it'll push lubricating oil through the most important parts, protecting them better for when you really need them to work.
5) Turn Off the AC Before Your Engine
Lastly, it pays to turn off your air conditioning before stopping your engine. If you leave it on, the system will immediately start to draw energy the nest time you turn the ignition. This not only drains your truck's battery more quickly, but puts the AC under stress when it needs to compete for power with all the other systems firing up when you start your truck.
Truck Servicing and AC Repair in Lethbridge
To keep your truck in peak condition, book a service at our Lethbridge location. From air conditioning repair to a full cooling system flush, our highly qualified technicians can give your truck the attention it needs to keep working for you throughout the year.