Air Conditioning (A/C) is increasingly seen as standard equipment on new cars due to the major enhancement it brings to passenger comfort. However, drivers are only just realising that A/C systems do require regular maintenance.

Vehicle A/C systems will tend to lose refrigerant over time as refrigerant permeates through the physical joins between components.

Over the years this will cause deterioration in performance.

Worse still, if you leave A/C operating with low refrigerant levels more serious problems can occur, lubricant circulation may be affected and air or moisture may enter the system.

The consequences could include:

• Poorer fuel economy as the compressor remains engaged to attain lower temperatures.
• Internal corrosion caused by air or moisture reacting with refrigerant.
• Component or system failur.