If your AC is out when you get caught in traffic during the summer heat, it can be miserable. You want to make sure that your AC is working before the heat arrives. Therefore, it is a good idea to start with maintenance and test your AC to make sure it is working before you find yourself stuck in traffic without it. The following auto AC troubleshooting tips will help you determine the problems with your car's air conditioner:

1. Make Sure the Interior Cabin Air Filter Has Been Changed Before Summer

The interior cabin air filter of your car is what filters out the contamination from outside air that runs through the AC. When the cabin filter becomes clogged, this can cause the AC to work less efficiently and not provide the cooling you need. Therefore, one of the first things that you should do when troubleshooting the auto AC is changing the air filter. During the summer months when there is a lot of pollen or dust, you may want to change or clean the filter to keep the AC working effectively when you need it.

2. Check for Problems with the AC Compressor 

The AC compressor of your car uses a system of pulleys that are connected to a belt. When the belt is loose or the pulleys are worn, this can cause problems with the AC. Therefore, you will want to check the belts and pulleys that run the AC compressor to make sure they are tight and the compressor is working when the AC is turned on.

3. Look for Auto AC Gas Leaks 

Just like the AC in your home, your car's compressor can be vulnerable to gas leaks. This can be damaged hoses and other components that cause the AC compressor to lose gas. To solve this problem, you will need to have the AC repaired and recharged with gas to ensure that it is providing the cabin of your car with cool air when it is needed.

4. Replace Damaged Auto AC Compressors 

Sometimes, the problems with loss of coolant gases and AC leaks may be due to a worn and damaged compressor. If the compressor is damaged, then you will probably need to have the AC replaced to repair the problem and get it working before the summer weather.

These are some of the things that you will need to do to troubleshoot problems with your auto AC before summer. If you want to make sure your car is ready for the summer heat, contact an auto AC repair service like Modern Auto Air to help with repairs before the weather starts getting warmer.