Air conditioning isn't just for summer – in winter it dries the air and clears your windscreen, so it works all year round. Because it's a sealed, pressurised system, it quietly loses 10–15% of its refrigerant every year. After two or three years you notice it: the AC cools more slowly, less effectively, and works the engine harder.
How often should you service car AC?
The workshop rule is simple: regas every 1–2 years, and replace the cabin filter and disinfect once a year – ideally in spring, before the first heat. That keeps the system from dropping below the critical level where the compressor runs dry and wears out faster.
What does a proper AC service include?
- Pressure check and leak detection – UV dye or an electronic detector tells us whether the system is just losing gas naturally or has a fault.
- Recovery, vacuum and recharge – we extract the old refrigerant and moisture, dry the system under vacuum, and refill to the manufacturer's exact specification.
- Cabin (pollen) filter replacement – a clogged filter cuts airflow and becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and odour.
- Evaporator disinfection – ultrasonic or foam treatment removes the mould and bacteria behind that sour smell when you switch the AC on.
How do you know the AC needs servicing?
- The air from the vents is no longer cold, or takes a long time to cool.
- A sour or musty smell appears when you turn the AC on.
- Windows take longer than usual to demist.
- You hear louder operation or the compressor cutting in and out.
If you notice any of these, don't wait – an empty AC system left running is the most common road to an expensive compressor failure.
Why AC service pays off
A full, clean system cools faster and at lower engine load, so the engine burns less fuel than with a strained, undercharged AC. A clean cabin filter and disinfected evaporator mean cleaner air – important for allergy sufferers, families with children, and anyone who spends a lot of time in the car. Regular maintenance is also far cheaper than replacing the compressor, by far the costliest part of the system.
R134a or R1234yf – does it matter?
Vehicles up to roughly 2017 use R134a refrigerant; newer ones use R1234yf. The two gases are not interchangeable and need separate service equipment. We service both, so you don't need to worry about which system your vehicle has.
We service AC on passenger and light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 t, usually within an hour. Book an appointment and bring your vehicle ready for summer.
Frequently asked questions
- How often should a car's air conditioning be serviced?
- We recommend a regas every 1–2 years, and a cabin-filter change plus disinfection once a year, ideally in spring before the season.
- How much refrigerant does car AC lose per year?
- Even a perfectly healthy system naturally loses about 10–15% of its gas a year, so it cools worse over time even without a fault.
- Why does the AC smell bad when I turn it on?
- The smell comes from mould and bacteria on the evaporator and a clogged cabin filter. Disinfection and a filter change fix it.
- Can I just leave a full AC system without servicing?
- Not advisable – an undercharged system strains the compressor, the most expensive part of the AC; regular service is far cheaper than replacing it.
- Do you also service newer vehicles with R1234yf gas?
- Yes, we're equipped for both R134a and R1234yf, so we service older and newer vehicles alike.
