A poorly maintained car air-conditioning system, especially during a heatwave, can hamper fuel efficiency, causing it to overheat and suffer mechanical damage. That means you’re likely to be hit with expensive repairs.
While DIY car air conditioning maintenance tips are an effective way of carrying out preventive maintenance, they may not always be helpful. This is true especially when you notice persistently warm air, visible leaks, or weak air flow after filter changes and basic checks.
In this article, we’re discussing how to maintain your car’s air conditioning in summer and providing you with our expert car air conditioning maintenance tips for 2025.
How Hot Weather Affect Car Air Conditioning
Car air conditioning systems have to work twice as hard during heatwaves to keep your vehicle’s interior cool. This puts considerable strain on the compressor, a component at the heart of your car’s air conditioning system. It also increases the wear of the system’s condenser and refrigerant levels.
This increased strain impacts overall cooling, with prolonged exposure to high temperatures often leading to building pressure, possibly resulting in leaks and mechanical failure. With the UK facing more frequent heatwaves, it’s essential to get your car’s air conditioning maintained as needed.
While our car air conditioning maintenance tips for 2025 are helpful, they’ll only take you so far. That’s why it’s crucial to invest in professional air conditioning servicing at reputed garages like In Town Automotive. To learn more, get in touch.
Impact of Air Conditioning on Fuel Efficiency and How to Optimise It
Air conditioning systems draw their power from your car’s engine. When you’re using your air con, your engine is under more stress, as it has to simultaneously run your car’s AC while maintaining the vehicle at its desired speed. During a heatwave, your car’s AC has to work twice as hard to provide you with sufficient cooling to keep up with the heat.
This tends to increase fuel consumption and hamper the engine’s efficiency, impacting your mileage. The best way to tackle this problem is by understanding how to maintain car air conditioning in summer and prevent the system from putting unnecessary stress on the engine.
It’s smart to ventilate your car before you switch on your AC to release trapped heat. Then, use the recirculation mode on your car’s AC, which is an efficient way of cooling the air inside your car. Using a moderate setting for a comfortable cool rather than a freezer-like cold is one of the simplest preventative car air conditioning maintenance tips.
Signs Your Car’s Air Conditioning Needs Attention This Summer
If your car has turned into a sweatbox despite following the basic DIY car air conditioning maintenance tips, it’s probably time to get a professional air conditioning service done. During summer, the signs that your car’s air conditioning needs servicing become more pronounced, and it’s best to get any problems addressed as soon as possible.
Weak airflows, musty odours, strange noises, and increased fuel consumption are all warning signs that your air conditioning system needs servicing. Ignoring these for a prolonged period can reduce your air con’s cooling ability, possibly even clogging the air filters and causing mould growth or fungi, compromising your health and safety.
Also, look for signs of unusual condensation, as well as visible leaks that have an oily residue or a chemical odour. This can be indicative of refrigerant leaks. One of our top recommended car air conditioning maintenance tips in 2025 is to get regular maintenance checks by professional garages like In Town Automotive to prevent these common car issues.
Tips for Maintaining Your Car’s Air Conditioning System
Car air conditioning systems are typically recommended for servicing once every two years to keep them running optimally. If you’re keeping up with your car maintenance schedule, you should be able to ride out a heatwave with no issues.
Even if you have serviced your car, you can still benefit from our expert-recommended car air conditioning maintenance tips in 2025 to further improve your air conditioning system’s performance.
You can start by checking your refrigerant levels and cleaning out the vents and dashboard grilles. This will ensure your air conditioning works without any strain, so it’s able to cool your car effectively.
Another top car air conditioning maintenance tip is to consider switching on your AC once every week throughout the year, even in winter. This ensures that the seals stay lubricated and the system circulates well.
You can also clean or replace cabin air filters. This can also include cleaning the condenser fins, using AC sanitisers to kill mould or bacterial growth, and drying the evaporator.
DIY vs. Professional Car Air Conditioning Maintenance
Running the AC every week can be an effective way to maintain the air conditioning system.
Our recommended DIY car air conditioning maintenance tips to follow this summer can all be followed safely at home, as they’re relatively straightforward.
But when it comes to fixing leaks or complex mechanical issues, you might need to call a pro. Professional servicing can make a huge difference in keeping your car’s air conditioning heatwave-ready, as your system will be inspected thoroughly by an expert and repaired if needed.
For a Professional Air-Con Service, Contact In Town Today
Now you know our top recommended car air conditioning maintenance tips in 2025, it might be time to get your air-con professionally serviced at our award-winning garage. From a free air conditioning efficiency check to a full air conditioning service, choose the servicing you need at In Town Automotive.
Our expert technicians will look for signs that your car’s air conditioning needs servicing and provide quality services to resolve any issues detected. Getting your car serviced regularly can help you avoid huge A/C repair bills and keep the system summer-ready.
We also use top-of-the-line vehicle diagnostics to conduct full-service scans and are known as one of the best MOT centres in Northampton. We’re here to keep your vehicle in top condition year-round.
To keep your car running safely and efficiently, we recommend sending it in for an all-inclusive health check. We have years of experience in fixing air conditioning, cambelts, exhausts, wheel alignment, and much more.
Visit our services page or contact us to book an appointment today.
bookings@intownautomotive.co.uk