Girly question about air con

I have just been out today and bought a 1998 Vectra with Air con but have a
few questions.

Does it use more fuel using the air con?

How long on average does it last for?

I keep reading about people having theirs regassed how oftern does this need
doing?


TIA

 

for as long as the system remains sealed

when it dont work!

no ok lets not be too silly here:

a good aircon test is to blow you car out off hot air FIRST before you ever
use it!
dont just hit the aircon button! it will kill it with moisture and make the
car stink!

sorry back to test.

close all windows and door
start car let it idle,
stick on aircon on full blow from CENTRAL outlets only (shut off all others)

hit button which recirculates air WITHIN the car (which is how you should
use aircon anyway...
cooling INTERNAL air again..not cooling brought in air from outside!!

put a therm on the dash shelf that can be read from outside

GET OUT OF THE CAR AND LEAVE IT RUNNING.

with in 6-10mins you should be able to get the temp down to lower than 8deg
if it does not it needs a look at maybe a regas!

if you get it down to 4 or 5 deg you are doing very well
and you system is in perfect order.


a good little thing is the Aircon deodoriser from halfords
costs about £13 you open the can up in the car
and run like hellfor 10-15mins
makes the thing smell like new!!


bye

mike

 

Yes, it will use a little more fuel, since you're using energy from the
engine to drive the AC bits-and-bobs. The same argument goes for using
your lights, your stereo, your heater, etc. Don't worry about it. Try a
week with, a week without, see if you can justify the extra consumption
(vs the boiling hot weather).

My 2001 Omega hasn't been regassed - some do say regas every year, but
that seems excessive. Have you checked the owner's manual to see if that
advises the time between fills?

One point to remember - if you decide NOT to use it, I think the general
advice is to run it 10 minutes every week or so - the system needs the
refrigerant (and the oil suspended in it) to circulate to avoid the
seals and the gubbins drying out (with the result of the system leaking).

 

And when you see a puddle of water under the car, after using the A/C,
as per the words of the Hitch Hickers Guide..."DONT PANIC"
it is normal condensation discharge , its supposed to happen.

Regards

John

 

Does it use more fuel using the air con?

Yes, but then you have to factor in the extra fuel used if the window is
open and the medical bills for hearing loss. There is such a thing as
"trucker's ear" - the loss of hearing in one ear due to having the window
open day in and day out, when driving.