Your car air conditioning system not only blows cold air into the cabin, but also removes hot air from it into the air outside. In doing so, it keeps the interior of your vehicle cool and comfortable. An air-conditioner comprises of mechanical components such as the evaporator, compressor and condenser, which need to be serviced from time to time. As part of your normal car air conditioning service plan, your auto centre may or may not offer re-gassing or recharging. Ideally, re-gassing must be done every two years or so. Here’s why.
Car air conditioning! What are the advantages of re-gassing?
On an average, your car will lose about 10 per cent of gas annually. When this happens, it will stop cooling you off as much you would like it to! In other words, it will stop producing cold air or not produce enough of it. It will be particularly problematic in summer and you won’t be able to stay comfortably cool inside the car to escape the outside heat.
Air conditioning systems that are not re-gassed periodically will have to work harder to produce cool air. It adds more stress on the engine, and consequently increases fuel usage. If your car air conditioning systems that hasn’t been re-gassed in the last two years, its efficiency would have reduced substantially. So, avoid waiting for signs of problems – such as a fall in cold air production – and get the unit recharged at the earliest, if you have put this service off for a while now.
What does regassing involve in car air conditioning ?
If your car’s AC is low on refrigerant oil, it may not cool effectively. Re-gassing/recharging involves removing old refrigerant gas and oil from your air conditioning unit and replacing it with the right amount of new refrigerant and lubricant in accordance with your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation. Service technicians may also perform a vacuum test to ensure that your car air conditioning does not have cracks through which the gas is escaping. The process may also include system de-bug/decontamination to remove bacterial build-up. It may also be accompanied by deodorization and sanitization to remove the musty odour from the system.
Re-gassing usually takes about an hour. If you think your car air conditioning needs re-gassing, stop by at Baldoyle Auto Centre today.
The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, today (Friday) announced a new Fixed Charge Notice (FCN) offence for motorists who drive with defective or worn tyres on their vehicle. Although it is already an offence to drive a vehicle with defective or worn tyres, there will now be a fixed charge (or fine) of €80, with two penalty points endorsed on the licence on payment of the fixed charge for commission of the offence, or four penalty points following conviction in court. The new regulations take effect from Sunday, 17th April 2016.
Speaking today, Minister Donohoe said: ‘Following consultation with the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána, I have decided to extend the fixed charge notice system to vehicles with defective or worn tyres. This new measure is intended to promote greater awareness among motorists of the hazards of driving with tyres that are not in roadworthy condition.
“Since the penalty points system was introduced in 2002, there has been a dramatic fall in the numbers dying needlessly on our roads. The penalty points system has played an important role in reducing fatalities and improving road safety since that time. We need to keep up the pressure to reduce road deaths, and I am confident that the measure I am introducing today will make an important contribution to achieving that.
“Just this month, the Road Safety Authority reported that vehicle factors played a role in one in eight fatal collisions across the period 2008 to 2012. Defective tyres were the most significant factor, representing almost two thirds of all vehicle factors identified as contributing to a collision and to the deaths of 71 people on Irish roads in the past five years.
“The RSA report also highlighted just how important it is that every aspect of a vehicle is in proper roadworthy condition. None of us can predict what will happen on our roads; we may encounter other drivers behaving poorly or adverse weather conditions. However, we can take personal responsibility for ensuring that our vehicle is properly maintained and be confident that our tyres can reliably respond to whatever conditions we may encounter. In a bid to highlight how critical this issue is to road safety, I have expedited the work to bring the offence of defective and non-roadworthy tyres within the penalty point system. I am urging people to take preventative measures today by checking their vehicles regularly and ensuring they are up to standard and roadworthy. It may just save your life.”
Why is it Important to Have Your Tyres Checked Regularly?
One of the most important yet often ignored car safety precautions is checking your tyres on a regular basis. After all, tyres are the sole point of contact between your car and the road, with the air inside them supporting the weight of your vehicle. When they’re in perfect working condition, they help secure your safety and don’t disrupt the driving experience.
- Monthly tyre pressure check
The recommended tyre pressure will be mentioned in the user manual, on the inside of the fuel flap, or on a label on your car door. It is critical that the tyres maintain this tyre pressure. Over or under inflation can cause uneven wear and affect their longevity. Importantly, it can affect cornering, stability and braking. Low tyre pressure can also increase fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Tyre under inflated by even 1 bar can drive up fuel consumption by 6 per cent.
Get your tyre pressure checked at least once a month; more regularly during warm weather when they usually lose more air; and before and after a long journey.
- Monthly tire tread wear check
Low tyre tread depth increases the risk of tyre failure and hydroplaning, where standing water, slush or snow causes the wheels to lose contact with the road surface and makes your vehicle slide out of control. It is especially important to check tyre tread depth during the winter months.
The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm. Tread wear indicators are also moulded into the base of the main grooves. When the tread surface wears down to the same level as the indicators, it means the tyres are at the legal limit and require replacement. A tread depth gauge is used to measure tread depth. But if you have any doubts or feel like you’ve not measured the tread depth accurately, it is best to let auto centre experts handle the job.
- Tyre valves
Over time, the rubber valves of your tyres will wear out and deteriorate, causing air loss. The valve cap can also suffer damage and fail to perform its main function: keeping out dirt and dust particles. By checking tyre valves and caps periodically, you can ensure an airtight seal, the correct tire pressure, and extend the life of your tyres.
- Tyre servicing
The performance of and wear-and-tear sustained by your car’s tyres is dependent on a variety of factors. Periodic tyre inspection can reveal if your tyres need servicing or they must be replaced. At the very least – an annual inspection must be performed – and if your tyres have been in use for ten years now, it’s time to get a new set.
Baldoyle Auto Centre’s free tyre digital scan provides a detailed thread analyist of the condition of your tyres. Get your report and take the best course of action for optimal safety and a superior driving experience.