Driving to your destination can be quite the miserable experience without the presence of heating and air conditioning. Unfortunately, most people don 't even give their A/C and heater control much thought up until it breaks down, at which point it 'd be the only thing on their minds whenever they drive. Understandably, most vehicle owners would rather only get that performance check when the A/C isn 't cold enough or if it 's taking way too long for the heater to heat up. With that said, you shouldn 't wait until your automotive HVAC system breaks down. You should instead learn how to extend the operating life of your Chevy 's climate control using the tips below.
Don 't abuse your A/C & Heater system. Learn to conserve.
Do you always use your A/C on full blast during hot days even when you don 't need to? Do you do the same with your heater during winter months? While a brand new car can take these shenanigans, abusing your HVAC system only shortens its lifespan. You should learn to conserve energy, heat, and coolness by, for example, using your A/C full blast initially then lowering the coldness off when your car has already cooled off. It 's also prudent to keep your car from sitting in the cold for too long, because that could damage your heater. Park the vehicle in your garage instead.
Your A/C & Heater should be inspected every 3-6 months.
Usually, a motorist should be reactive when it comes to A/C inspection. If you 're refreshed and cooled with full air flow as your A/C is pumping or you feel comfortably toasty in winter with your heater on, then you can cross off HVAC inspection off your list and just get them looked at when something 's wrong. The problem with being reactive is that you might react too late, when you have no choice but to expensively replace your HVAC system. Ergo, you should have them inspected about every three to six months or so or whenever you 're getting your car serviced.
You should recharge your A/C & Heater when it takes too long for it to work.
A well-maintained A/C and heater system that isn 't excessively abused or is otherwise barely used can go its entire operating life without requiring a recharge. However, this only happens to lucky people. Usually, when the cool breeze or hotness of your HVAC no longer feels as hot or cold as you remember, then you should get a recharge. Follow the same preventive measures mentioned above or have the system inspected ASAP if you 're not reaching those warm or cool temperatures as quickly as possible. Usually, you 're just low on coolant or refrigerant. However, this could be an indication of a leak since HVACs are sealed systems.
Get the A/C & Heater looked at when it makes weird noises and/or smells.
Although the noise could just be a hose or a minor engine noise acting up, it 's better to be safe than to be sorry. Head on over to your nearest auto shop or dealership and get your vehicle looked at because this could be the symptom of a compressor problem. As for funny smells coming out of your vents, this could be caused by bacteria buildup in your evaporator. You should have your A/C system cleaned out post-haste with a vehicle service that has the proper tools for the job in case this happens. Keep your car clean to avoid bacteria formation as well. Remember, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.