Dec 5, 2024

AC not working? It might not be because your car battery is failing. There are several reasons why your Volkswagen’s air conditioning system might be blowing out hot air, which is why it’s best to take your car to your local VW dealership for service. Check out how to maintain your AC system and more. 

Keeping Cool: Volkswagen Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips

Your VW owner’s manual outlines the routine maintenance for your AC system to keep things running smoothly. Some of these key maintenance tasks include inspecting and replacing air filters, cleaning the condenser, topping up the coolant level, and inspecting belt fans. Most of these maintenance tasks should be performed once a year to ensure good air conditioner performance.

Other AC Service at Your VW Dealership

Other maintenance tasks will need to be performed less often, such as flushing the radiator. A radiator flush should be done every few years to clean out any debris from the radiator that could reduce the efficiency of the AC unit. This is also a good chance to check for leaks, corrosion, or other issues that could hamper your air conditioning system. 

Common Causes for AC Not Working

When your AC system runs into performance problems like blowing out hot air, the most common cause is low coolant levels. The coolant or refrigerant in your vehicle ensures your air vents produce cold air, so when levels are low, your AC unit won’t function normally. A quick fix for this is topping up the coolant level or correcting any leaks in the radiator that are causing coolant levels to drop. 

Best Practices for Good AC Performance

If you want your air conditioner system to perform well throughout the year, there are things you can do when you’re behind the wheel to maintain good AC performance. For example, you can roll down your windows when it’s hot outside to vent out hot air that accumulates in the cabin before turning on your AC system so your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to cool down the car. 

It’s also a good idea to occasionally turn on the defrost mode, even when it’s hot or you don’t need to defrost windows. This is because the defrost mode can reduce moisture buildup in your AC unit, which prevents the development of mildew and musty air vent odor. You can run the defrost mode for at least 10 minutes once a week to keep your air vents fresh. 

In Florida, it’s essential to have a functional air conditioning system to battle heat and humidity throughout the year. To keep your AC in good shape, you should schedule routine service for coolant level top-offs, air filter replacement, and other AC inspection services at your local dealership. Book service at Tom Bush Volkswagen in Jacksonville, FL.