How to make your car's air conditioning blow COLDER this summer with affordable fix that takes just minutes
WITH summer in full swing and heatwaves predicted, keeping cool is on everyone's mind.
Thankfully, air conditioning in most modern cars offers a welcome escape from the heat.
Advertisement
3
Stay cool this summer with a quick and affordable air con fix
Credit: Getty
3
Your car's air conditioning might not be as cold as it should be - mechanics reveal the common cause
Credit: Getty
3
Regassing your air con could be the key to ice-cold journeys
Credit: Getty
However, many of us will sometimes feel our AC could be working a little harder and blowing a little colder.
And if you believe your car's cool air isn't as cold as it could be, a repair expert from
Matt Wrankmore, Head of Garage Network at FixMyCar, has revealed that a quick, 45-minute garage visit can take your air conditioning from mild to ice-cold.
He said: 'Many drivers expect their car's air conditioning to just work when they need it to.
Advertisement
Read more Motors News
'However, the air conditioning system uses refrigerant gas and a compressor to cool the air in the cabin.
'Few people realise that over 10% of refrigerant gas escapes naturally every year, which means the cooling system's
power
drops significantly over time.
'This is where the need for an air con regas comes in.
'Having the system 'regassed', essentially refilling the refrigerant gas, will have an instant effect on your car's air conditioning and will get you back to pleasantly cool journeys on our few scorching hot days this
summer
.'
Advertisement
Most read in Motors
COOL OFF
As anyone who's stepped into a sweltering car on a summer's day knows, car interiors trap and retain heat effectively, making them unbearable without a working cooling system.
According to over 3,000 drivers polled by FixMyCar, 28% didn't know that the air conditioning system in their car needed to be regassed in order to stay cold.
Inside Kia's refreshed Sportage including comfy cabin, punchy new looks and driving mode young families will love
Further to that, one in 10 (9.7%) drivers assumed it would be done as part of a full service.
However, many car services don't include an air con regas - meaning you'll need to book it separately.
Advertisement
Data from FixMyCar shows that an air con regas costs £72.64 on average, with most manufacturers recommending drivers get their air conditioning system regassed every two years to ensure it's always at an optimal cold temperature.
The poll also found that almost a third (32%) of drivers are unsure when they last had an AC regas.
This has been confirmed by nearly 200 mechanics on the FixMyCar network, with the majority claiming the most common cause behind car air conditioning no longer feeling cold is that the car 'needs an air con regas'.
20% said that a 'refrigerant leak' is another common cause of poor cooling, while 14% flagged that a 'lack of air con use and poor maintenance' are to blame.
Advertisement
Wrankmore added: 'Another little-known fact is that a lack of use of your air conditioning could also exacerbate the problem.
'A car's air conditioning system has an oil in it that lubricates the seals and compressor to keep it functioning smoothly when in use.
'However, not using the air conditioning frequently can cause the seals and compressor to harden or shrink, which can then cause damage that results in larger refrigerant leaks down the line.
'This is a particular problem for Brits. As we only get a few really hot days a year, many of us don't use our air conditioning as often as we should.
Advertisement
'So, my best advice to drivers who want to maintain their cooling system better is to turn on your air conditioning regularly, even in winter - as crazy as that sounds.'
.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Best car for new drivers revealed as budget-friendly classic knocking premium motor off top spot
THE best car for new drivers has been revealed, taking the esteemed title away from the much loved Audi A1. Advertisement 4 The VW Golf has been crowned the best motor for new drivers Credit: Supplied 4 The Golf has been praised for its good value, safety, and stylish look Credit: Getty With the The BMW1 Series also narrowly missed the top spot, but by offering premium quality, plenty of space, a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and low running costs, the Golf has a lot of appeal to Autotrader's Editorial Director Erin Baker, said: 'The Golf continues to prove its timeless versatility. 'It's the car of voice for new drivers looking for a fun, dependable set of first-time wheels that won't break the budget.' Advertisement Motors news The starting price of a new VW Golf is roughly £28,000, however they can be bought second hand for under £5,000. Beyond the Golf and Audi A1, other cars that have been proven popular among new drivers include the This year, over 225,000 people voted in the Driver's Choice Awards. Autotrader explained that each year they ask car owners to share what their car is like to live with to find out what the Advertisement Most read in Motors Exclusive Among the other motors recognised as the best to buy in 2025 were Kia's EV3, which was awarded the prestigious title of New Car of the Year, and the BMW I4, which was crowned Best Car for Families. Voters elected the Omoda 5 for Best Value Car, the Land Rover Defender 110 took the cake for Most Loved Car, and the Porsche Macan was chosen for the Most Fun Car to Drive. New Nissan Leaf tested - it's bigger, better and goes further In terms of the best brands in the business, Lexus was declared most reliable, Dacia was crowned the best value, and BYD was awarded the most loved. 4 The Audi A1 has been knocked off of the top spot Credit: Advertisement 4 The Golf has been dubbed reliable and very safe for new drivers Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
15 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Every driver in Britain must make vital car check as temperatures soar and heatwave ‘likely' this weekend
DRIVERS have been warned to make a vital car check as temperatures across the UK soar. The easy check can save you thousands and makes sure that your car won't overheat in the 3 One easy check on your car could save you thousands this summer Credit: Getty 3 The check is more important than ever when temperatures are higher Credit: Getty If your coolant levels are too low, then Vehicles don't actually use more coolant when the weather is hot, but overheat much more easily when the coolant is low. When refilling your coolant, your engine must be off - for your own safety. Then, fill the tank up to the "full" or "max" mark. Read More on Car News If your car overheats, the cost to repair it can be astronomical so this one easy check could save you a huge amount of money. In the event that your car does start overheating, you must pull over as soon as you can - when it is safe. Switch on your If possible, open your bonnet and take a big step back in case hot steam rushes out. Most read in Motors Finally, leave your car for 30 minutes to let the engine cool down. There are several other checks that can keep your car road-ready in the hot weather. Car expert urges drivers to do two maintenance checks before summer heat – 'quarter test' could save on a tow Tyre pressure can be affected by This can cause your tyre pressure to skyrocket, which comes with a host of issues. Not only does this increase the chance of tyre wear, but it can cause damage to your suspension - which is costly to repair. Some engine oils should also be replaced during periods of hot weather, if their viscosity will be affected by heat. The news comes as the UK braces for a heatwave which has already begun to smash records. Yesterday, Britain saw its hottest day of the year so far with In order to qualify as a heatwave, temperatures must be consistently reach a threshold temperature for at least three consecutive days. In the North and West of England, that temperature is 25C where it is 30C in the South. This weekend, meteorologists expect that the South East could see highs of a sweltering 33C, as the heatwave continues. Today, experts have warned that parts of the country could experience highs of 29C which has led thousands of Brits to flock to beaches across the country. 3 You may have to let your engine cool for half an hour, if it overheats Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Britain's most popular car brand is launching groundbreaking hot hatch with 4-wheel drive & blistering 400bhp engine
BRITAIN'S most popular car brand has announced plans to create a groundbreaking new hot hatch. The 4-wheel drive car has a ferocious 400bhp engine, injecting some power into your drive, while 4 Volkswagen has announced plans for a brand new motor Credit: Getty 4 The vehicle will be a four-wheel drive Credit: Volkswagen AG 4 The ID 2 R will have a blistering 400bhp engine Credit: Volkswagen AG Volkswagen have become known over the years for their dependable motors and relaxed driving experience. Vehicles like the Volkswagen Golf have seen overhauls over the years but have largely remained similar with each new model. That model has allowed Volkswagen to become the UK's favourite car brand, selling 166,000 models in Britian in 2024. However, Read More on Car News Executives are exploring giving a green light to producing the high-performance ID 2 R. The car would be the brand's first model to use in-wheel motors and would come fitted with a blistering 400bhp engine. Having two additional electric hub motors, alongside the standard ones within the rear vehicles, will boost the cars performance - without sacrificing boot space. According to Most read in Motors It will also use dynamic drive modes, brake-based yaw control and predictive torque distribution. Volkswagen's R division hopes to ensure that the car remains light and responsive, despite the added weight. The hothatch would be going head-to-head with the Inside the Volkswagen ID When announcing the high-end vehicle, a spokesperson for the brand said: "In 1980, Renault 5 Turbo was the 1st French production car with a turbocharged petrol engine, delivering 160 hp. "In 2025, Renault 5 Turbo 3E gives the legend a boost with a dual 540 hp¹ electric powertrain and far superior performance. "Precision engineering, responsive handling, and next-generation innovation: the turbo spirit is back. 1,980 cars produced globally, with extreme customisation options, right down to tailor-made solutions from our designers." It is also an EV, meaning it emits far fewer emissions than most vehicles. Volkswagen have been approached for comment by The Sun. 4 Volkswagen is the UK's most popular car brand Credit: Getty
