About Car Air Conditioning

Most modern vehicles come with air conditioning installed. Understanding the basics of car air conditioning, such as how car air conditioning works, is an important step in vehicle maintenance and car upkeep. Knowing all about car air conditioning can save you time, money and expensive trips to your car mechanic.

History

The ancient Greeks and Romans used various cooling methods that are the basic predecessors of modern air conditioning systems. It was the Chinese that first built fan-based air conditioning systems that most closely resemble the air conditioning used in cars today. The first car to have air conditioning was built by Packard Auto. It was sold to the general public in 1939. At the time, car air conditioning was rudimentary at best. Since then, the quality of car air conditioning has vastly improved.

Significance

Car air conditioning is ubiquitous and can be found in most off-the-line cars sold by car dealerships in the western, developed world. Car air conditioning allows drivers to operate their vehicles in warm and temperate climates without rolling down their windows. Due to the ease and comfort that air conditioning providers to drivers, air cooling systems in cars have moved beyond the aspect of luxury to become somewhat of a necessity.

Function

Car air conditioners are hooked to the vehicle's battery in order to power the coolant system and circulation fans. Auto air conditioning is made up of several components, including an air compressor, evaporator and coolant coil. Fans suck in warm, external air and pass the air over cooling coils much like terrestrial, home air conditioners function. The cooled air is then blown into the car's interior using a set of fans. The car air conditioning system can also re-circulate the already cooled air from inside the vehicle in order to save energy.

Theories/Speculation

Some car experts and industry insiders, as well as individual car drivers, theorize that running a car's air conditioning system causes undue stress on the car's mechanical system and reduces the miles per gallon achieved by the vehicle. Thus, some car drivers prefer to run their car air conditioning at a minimum in order to save fuel.

Prevention/Solution

Car air conditioning may occasionally malfunction and may require troubleshooting. Consult an auto mechanic for expert advice. In some cases, drivers can troubleshoot their own car air conditioning. Open your car's hood and check that no air conditioning coolant is leaking by checking the tubes leading into the car vents. After running your car's engine and turning on the air conditioning system, check that the coolant compressor is pumping appropriately (it is often located on the left side of the car engine).