There’s no way you can live without air conditioning in your car, especially with sweltering temperatures outside. But having a professional take care of your AC can get a bit pricey. Fortunately, #savagescotty knows what it takes to stay cool without paying a single red cent.
So, how can you keep your car’s AC blowing ice cold for free?
Here are a few tips from the man himself:
- Keep the underhood AC inlet free of leaves and debris
- Change your cabin air filter
- Check the engine fans
- Keep the condenser clean
- Check the fan belt
- Check your engine coolant
Strap yourself in and follow along as we highlight Scotty Kilmer’s tips for keeping your car’s AC blowing ice cold for free. Armed with these tips, you’ll be able to keep your car cool and comfortable at no cost, no matter how scorching-hot the day gets.
Staying Cool on the Cheap
Automotive air conditioning systems are sealed, so there’s not much maintenance you can do without professional tools or expertise. Fortunately, the following DIY tips are easy to follow and simple to do, and, most importantly, they cost little-to-nothing to do.
1. Keep the Underhood AC Inlet Free of Leaves and Debris
Notice that vent just underneath the windshield? Fresh air comes through your car’s AC system from there. Unfortunately, it’s also a magnet for leaves and other debris, so you want to keep this area clean as much as possible.
If you don’t, the debris could end up inside your AC system and clog up the evaporator. You could also end up with a buildup that not only robs your AC system’s performance, but also makes a mess inside your car.
2. Change Your Cabin Air Filter
Cabin air filters. Most cars have them, but many owners forget about them until they lose their cold air or things start getting a bit musty. It’s a good idea to check these things at least every two to three months, as Scotty suggests.
As Scotty shows starting at 1:02, you’ll find the cabin air filter behind the glove box on most cars. How to get it out usually varies from car to car, so read up on your owner’s manual for more details.
Cabin air filters are pretty cheap, but you can save even more money simply by knocking off as much debris as possible and putting it back in. If you’re feeling spendy, upgrade to a carbon-activated filter to knock out odors as well as debris.
3. Check the Engine Fans
Your car’s electric fans not only pull air through the radiator, but also the condenser in front of it. If the fans don’t work, neither will your AC system.
Check the fans by turning your AC on to Max, then make sure the fans are spinning and blowing plenty of air.
Many cars have two cooling fans instead of one. If this is the case for yours, Scotty recommends running the car for 5 to 10 minutes with the AC cranked up. Both fans should be working. If only one is working, plan on a replacement very soon.
4. Keep the Condenser Clean
Speaking of the condenser, this part regularly gets pelted with insects and all sorts of debris. Unfortunately, those bugs can be a bit tricky to safely clean off without causing any damage to the condenser itself.
Here’s a smart tip from the man himself: Soak the condenser first; then hose it off to remove the now-softened bug carcasses and debris. Your AC will run much colder, and it won’t cost you a cent.
5. Check the Fan Belt
Worn-out fan belts can skip and slip, which could damage the AC compressor and even make it fail prematurely. Check your belts carefully and be on the lookout for cracks, shiny or missing bits and squealing noises. Replace the belt if you need to.
6. Check Your Engine Coolant
If your car runs low on coolant, it can trigger a fail-safe mechanism that’ll shut off the AC, robbing you of cold air when you need it most. Make sure your radiator and coolant reservoirs are topped-off at the appropriate levels.
Take Care of Your Vehicle
Good maintenance is always the key to a long-lived ride. Taking care of the smaller issues on your car can help avoid major (and expensive) disasters. To learn more about your car, take a close look at its Vehicle History for yourself.
