Car air con service & maintenance

Make sure that you can rely on your air conditioning with a recharge service. Car air con needs regular maintenance to ensure that it is functioning as efficiently as possible. At Gilmar Motors we offer a complete air conditioning recharge service.

How much is an air con recharge?

The price you pay for an air conditioning recharge depends on the type of refrigerant gas your car uses. The vast majority of cars on the road in the UK use one of two types of refrigerant – R134A and R1234YF. Typically R134A starts from £59.99 and R1234YF starts from £89.99. (prices subject to VAT)

How do I know which air con gas I require?

R134A gas is common in vehicles manufactured before 2014. All vehicles with air conditioning manufactured since 1st January 2017 include the new R1234YF air con gas which is more environmentally friendly. Since this date, manufacturers are no longer allowed to use the older R134A air con gas in a bid to reduce global warming as the old gas is believed to be more damaging to the environment. R1234YF gas was phased in by vehicle manufacturers over time so vehicles rolling off the production line between 2014 and 2016 could require either gas.

Does my air con need recharging?

Manufacturers recommend that your air con is recharged every 2 years. It is important to make sure that you include recharging as part of your regular vehicle maintenance routine.

If your AC is blowing out warm air or only works intermittently, an AC recharge can bring back cold air when you need it most on hot days and can also improve your fuel efficiency as there is less strain on the system and engine. Unpleasant smells coming from the air vents also suggest that your air con needs some attention.

Did you know?

Air conditioning doesn’t just provide in-car comfort during the hot summer months; it can also be used in winter to demist your windscreen. Air con systems create dry warm air rather than the normal humid air from outside which can clear your windscreen much more quickly than your regular

The recharge process is quite simple and involves removing any old refrigerant gas and oil from your air con system before replacing this with the correct amount of new refrigerant, lubricant and UV dye as per the manufacturer’s recommendation. A vacuum test is also performed to ensure there are no cracks or damage in your air conditioning system that could cause the gas to leak out.

Within an hour, the whole recharge process is completed and you will once again have refreshing cool air on demand. Vehicle air conditioners that are not recharged regularly will be less effective and have to work harder to produce cool air. This puts more strain on the engine and uses more fuel. If your air conditioning system has not been recharged in the past two years, it will dramatically reduce efficiency.

Air Conditioning Cleaning

If there are bad odours coming from your air vents when you turn on your car AC, then your car may also benefit from an air con clean, also known as a debug.

Aircon Debug

If you notice bad odours coming from your air vents when you turn on your car AC, then your vehicle may benefit from an air con cleaning service. Over time the humidity and moisture in your car’s air con system can cause a build-up of bacteria, mould and fungi, particularly if it is left unused for periods of time.

This build up can be bad for your health, particularly if you suffer from allergies, as the bacterial spores are blown into the cabin of the vehicle and breathed in by passengers.

What is an Air Con Cleaner Service?

Gilmar Motors offer an AirCon cleaner service, or debug, to decontaminate the system and kill the bacteria within. The process involves setting off a cleaning spray or ‘bomb’ in the vehicle cabin which is sucked into the air vents and kills off the unwanted bacteria within, leaving you with a long lasting fresh AC smell, and a clean, bacteria free, system throughout.

An air con debug is available as an optional extra when you have your air conditioning serviced at Gilmar Motors.

Use our user friendly servicing booking form to book an appointment with West Molesey based Gilmar Motors.