Auto Care Tips From Capitol Subaru: How To Care For Your Vehicle's HVAC System

 

4. Change The Coolant Regularly

Did you know that the engine coolant in your car also plays a role in keeping the cabin comfortable? Also sometimes called "antifreeze," coolant flows through the engine to help absorb excess heat. When you turn the heater on in your car, some of that coolant is diverted to the heater core. The climate control system fans blow air across that heater core, warming it up before it comes out through the vents.

Check your owner's manual to find how to care for the coolant in your vehicle. For example, 2014 Subaru models should have their cooling systems inspected every 30,000 miles by a trained technician. Factory Subaru Super Coolant can last up to 137,500 miles! And if you use genuine Subaru Super Coolant, subsequent coolant fills will be good for up to 75,000 miles.

 

3. Keep The Condenser Clear

The air conditioning system features a condenser, which helps release heat collected from the cabin by the A/C system. The condenser is typically located right behind the vehicle's front grille. As you drive, airflow helps to lower the temperature of the condenser and exchange heat out of the system. But if any of the front grille openings on your car are blocked -- such as by a piece of litter -- the A/C system may malfunction. If your car's A/C system just isn't keeping the cabin as cool as you expect, be sure to check the grille for debris blocking airflow just in case!

2. Replace The Cabin Air Filter Regularly

Now more than ever, breathing clean air in our cars is important. What's more, an old, dirty cabin air filter can choke the HVAC system, robbing it of performance. The result is a stuffy, uncomfortable cabin that takes too long to warm up on chilly mornings or cool down on sunny summer days. So, be sure to check your owner's manual and have the cabin air filter changed regularly in your vehicle. For instance, a 2014 Subaru model should have its air filter replaced every 15,000 miles for optimal performance. If you haven't had the air filter on your car changed in a while, that could be the reason your HVAC system isn't working its best.

 

1. Get A Refrigerant Recharge

Of course, if the A/C system just isn't blowing nice, cold air through the vents, it could mean you need the system recharged. When it rolls off the assembly line, the A/C system in a new car is pre-filled with refrigerant. This is a special chemical with unique properties that can help draw heat out from the cabin while pumping cool air through the vents. However, that refrigerant will slowly leak out of the system over time. This is perfectly normal, and most cars will need the A/C system recharged every few years. If the heater and defroster work well, but the A/C system just doesn't perform as well as it once did, you might need the system professionally recharged. Adding fresh refrigerant keeps your air conditioner working like new!