Check out this Month’s Newsletter for interesting reading, tips & tricks, recipes, games and more…especially coupons!> Your Online Garage A/C and Heat: Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) System Service and Repair Your air conditioning system is part of your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system, and one of the key components in your vehicle’s comfort-control center.  When your air conditioning is not functioning properly, driving can be miserable and, in some cases, even dangerous.   All modern cars have a heater, and most have an air conditioner.  These components help maintain safe and comfortable driving conditions, including visibility. The HVAC System provides proper in vehicle climate conditions.  It de-humidifies the vehicle interior (and helps to clear fogged windshields).  You must seal and contain refrigerant, lubricant, and coolant. Symptoms of a malfunctioning HVAC System Improper vent air temperature Low or no vent air flow

Smell or fogging of windshield during defroster operation Growling/grinding or squealing noise during A/C or heater operation May contain control valves for A/C pressure control Controlled by On-Board Computer Must be lubricated internally Allows heat removed from passenger compartment to be transferred tot he under hood area.ac unit cool not cold Assists in removing heat generated by proper condenser and radiator operation.in the wall air conditioners reviews Electrically or hydraulically controlledauto window ac unit Removes moisture from flowing refrigerant (desiccant) Moves air inside vehicle across evaporator and/or heater core Controlled by climate control panel Creates pressure differential allowing refrigerant to remove heat from passenger compartment

Thermostatic or fixed orifice design Allows heat to be removed via refrigerant from the passenger’s compartment to be carried to the condenser Substance that can be vaporized and condensed between certain temperatures Must be kept pure and free of contaminates and moisture 134a is approved refrigerant for today’s vehicles Are there environmental concerns with air conditioning? Because all refrigerants currently used in automotive air conditioning systems are controlled substances, it is important that it not be allowed to escape into the atmosphere during servicing.  Our technicians use a sealed, environmentally-friendly process that captures the refrigerant, cleans it, replenishes it and returns it to your auto air conditioning system good as new. What if my vehicle still uses Freon? Auto air conditioning systems built before 1995 use the refrigerant R-12 or (CFC-12), also referred to as Freon. The EPA determined that Freon was destroying the ozone layer and in 1995, all production ceased.

Freon is now extremely expensive and difficult to find. Precision Tune Auto Care offers a retrofit service that enables your A/C system to use R-134a refrigerant. The retrofit pays for itself in the cost savings on the refrigerant.  Consult your local store manager for more information on retrofitting. Transfers heat from coolant to outside air Constructed of aluminum, steel, or composite plastics Provides convenient transfer and routing of coolant to heater core Constructed of reinforced rubber compounds Regulates flow of coolant Allows vehicle to reach and maintain proper operating temperature Proper operation allows sufficient heat for passenger comfort Heater Core/Heater Control Valve Heat exchanger located inside passenger compartment Contains hot engine coolant which allows proper temperatures to be maintained in passenger compartment Similar construction to radiator Control valve regulates coolant flow to heater core Sign up for exclusive offers!

We have the tools and experience to diagnose and fix your vehicle fast – the first time Service while you wait! We are a family owned business We treat you like a real person not a number on a key tag. We understand how important your vehicle is to you and we treat every car as if it were our ownAir Conditioning Service - Cooling System MaintenanceThe engine cooling system affects your car's overall dependability and engine longevity. Cooling systems have advanced over the years with new coolant formulations and new radiator designs and materials. If you suspect a problem with your cooling system, you should check it immediately. What does it do? The key parts of the cooling system remove heat from the engine and automatic transmission and dissipate heat to the air outside. The water pump circulates coolant through the engine. The coolant absorbs heat and returns it to the radiator where heat is dissipated. The thermostat regulates the coolant temperature to keep it consistent for efficient engine operation.

Typical Wear and Tear Factors that affect the replacement of cooling system parts include: Driving habits, operating conditions, type of vehicle, type of coolant and frequency of regular maintenance such as coolant changes. Symptoms: Overheating / Sweet smell / Leaks / Repeatedly need to add fluid To keep warm and cozy or cool and comfortable, it's best to maintain your heating and air conditioning systems. A thorough inspection includes: • Inspecting the interior controls and blower • Checking radiator coolant level, hoses, pressure cap and thermostat • Testing the compressor belt • Checking for leaks or other damage • A cooling system pressure test • Comparing the A/C pressure to manufacturer specifications • Testing the A/C system for refrigerant leaks • Checking the interior vent air temperature Should I have my mechanic inspect my air conditioning unit on a regular bases? We are so used to the concept of an air conditioner that we hardly take notice of it.

That is only until it stops working. And then we have a serious issue at hand and at times we are clueless as to what exactly the problem is and how to tackle it. The air conditioners have become so integral to our lives that we cannot think of living without it. First it came to our offices and factories. Then we brought them to our homes. And now we have them even in our cars. Come to think of it, it is actually essential to have an air conditioner in your car. Of course the interiors of a car is more affected by the heat of the sun than the interiors of your house or office are. And there would be additional heat from the engine to deal with. So it is quite necessary to have a car air conditioned.And it is equally important to see to it that you take proper care of the unit so that it delivers when you need it to and doesn’t break down. It has been seen these days that to repair older air conditioners it is costing one a few hundred bucks more than it used to.

This is primarily because of the regulations that have brought about a change in the refrigerants being used. The previously used R-12 refrigerant, popularly known as Freon has been replaced by R-134a. This is considered to be environmentally safer. Since you cannot mix the two kinds of refrigerants, so any repair now would mean that you have to flush out the existing refrigerant and fill it up with the newer approved refrigerant. This will obviously increase the costs of fixing your car air conditioner. The best way to avoid costly repairs would be to check the auto air conditioning system once every year. There are many automotive service stations which would provide special check-ups before the summer seasons. You can also go for a bundle check-up where your entire car, including the air conditioner is fine tuned. This would also cut down your maintenance costs. Since having an air conditioner in your car is a sizeable investment it would be prudent to have it functioning properly.