Press Release

Schwäbisch Hall, June 2007. Whether it’s hot or cold, those who have an
air-conditioning system in their car are in a fortunate position. However, with the pleasantly temperature-controlled air, unwanted bacteria, pollen or spores can quickly find their way into the vehicle interior if regular maintenance of the air-conditioning system is not carried out. Particularly for people who suffer from allergies, this can give rise to dangerous situations at the wheel. High repair costs can also be avoided with annual maintenance of the
air-conditioning system. It can cost a car driver up to 1000 euros if the
air-conditioning compressor, the heart of the air-conditioning system, has to be replaced.

But how can damage to the compressor occur?

Every year, up to ten percent of the refrigerant is lost from the air-conditioning system. This means that the cooling performance of the air-conditioning system may reduce considerably after just three years. The air-conditioning compressor is then in danger because it is no longer sufficiently lubricated by the oil carried in the refrigerant. Total failure of the compressor may occur.

The evaporator and interior filter of the air-conditioning system offer an ideal breeding ground for dangerous and allergenic micro-organisms and therefore require regular maintenance. Regular disinfection of the evaporator helps against unpleasant odours caused by bacteria and prevents allergic reactions. Through the additional application of a special protective coating, the settlement of new pathogens is prevented. However, the interior filter should be replaced during maintenance, and not later than every 15,000 kilometres. Sucked in from the outside air, dust, pollen and soot, among other things, are deposited. A clean filter reduces the spread of germs and at the same time reduces the safety risk of fogged windows and possible damage to the fan motor. This is because just as with the vacuum cleaner at home, a full bag doesn’t just reduce cleaning power. Deposited dirt also increases the mechanical load on the motor and can lead to expensive repairs.

In order to ensure permanent and perfect operation of the air-conditioning system, the key components, namely compressor, condenser, evaporator and expansion valve should be checked regularly by a garage during an annual
air-conditioning check. As the air conditioning system works under constant pressure, its components are subjected to a natural process of wear. Hoses and seals also wear, dry out and can become leaky as a result. This leads to evaporation of the refrigerant and to reduced cooling performance. Here, a remedy is offered by checking the system and topping up the refrigerant level.
In addition, it is advisable to have an air-conditioning service carried out every two years.
In the course of this, the refrigerant is changed, tightness is checked, and, if necessary, the dryer is replaced. A wide range of spare parts and special equipment with measuring and test instruments for all aspects of professional air-conditioning servicing makes it possible for garages to rectify damage quickly and easily.

Useful tips on using an air-conditioning system
Before driving a vehicle that has been heated up in summer, the doors should be opened for a short period in order to get rid of heat which has built up in the vehicle. Automatic air-conditioning controls temperature, blower level and air distribution automatically. For rapid cooling-down in the case of a manual
air-conditioning system, first switch the blower level to maximum. After a short distance, select a lower fan level in order to avoid unnecessary draughts. Do not direct the air flowing out directly onto the occupants of the vehicle. In summer, a comfortable temperature is about 22 degrees, in the case of extreme heat about three to four degrees higher. Shortly before reaching your destination, switch off the air-conditioning system; this means that a temperature shock when getting out of the vehicle can be avoided.

Caution: Contact a garage immediately if, within the service-check interval, indications of an air-conditioning system defect arise, such as bad odours from the air vents, reduced system cooling performance, or even total loss of system cooling performance, increased fuel consumption or a constantly fogged windscreen.