Keep your cool - The lowdown on vehicle airconditioning
Vehicle air conditioning has become a part of motoring, but there was a time when these systems were reserved only for the well-heeled who could afford to option them. We check out how the technology has changed and how these different systems work.
Vehicle aircon de-mystified
In the far-gone days of the 90s, vehicle air conditioning was considered a luxury fitment item and was only found in high-end German sedans. As the technology improved and became cheaper, it slowly became standard fitment and is now available in almost every car on sale today.
Related: Airconditioning myths busted!
Managing the air temperature inside a car is just as much about comfort as safety. The weather in South Africa can swing wildly from one extreme to the next, going from very hot to monsoon rain in a short time. When this happens, an air con is essential for demisting car windows and balancing outside and inside temps. Vehicle air conditioning has changed, and different types of air conditioning are now available. Let's look at what you may find in today's many vehicles on sale.
How to fix your car's aircon
Manual airconditioning
Most of your entry-level and budget offerings have the OG setup system. It is the simplest form of AC. The user switches it on, selects their desired temperature, and gets comfy. The system works perfectly but has no variance for temperature changes. It will continue to blow cold air until it freezes unless the user switches it off or readjusts the temperature. The user will constantly adjust it as the day or conditions change.
Automatic airconditioning
Aircon is the successor to the manual setup. Here, the user sets the temperature and leaves it. The BCU (Body Control Unit) will then take temperature readings from the cabin and adjust fan speed and hot and cold air inputs to maintain the cabin temperature at the required level. It does this, as the name suggests, automatically. This type of system is most likely found in the majority of mid-spec vehicles today.
Climate control
This system was more commonly reserved for high-end luxury vehicles but has slowly begun filtering into mid- and lower-spec cars. With this system, the vehicle is split into zones, side to side and front to rear, enabling each passenger to set their temperature for the best comfort. The system takes care of everything; all the user has to do is choose their temperature, sit back, and relax. Climate control systems usually incorporate heated and ventilated seats and a steering wheel heater.
In Closing
Familiarise yourself with your vehicle's air conditioning to get the most out of it. The owner's manual will give you tips and tricks on managing your vehicle's interior climate and instructions on maintaining and fixing any issues you may have. Beat the heat and stay cool this summer!
