Cold Facts About A/C Refrigerant

In the past few years, many car owners have discovered that fixing an inoperative air conditioner can cost a few hundred dollars or more, depending upon the make and model of the vehicle. The reason is that the old standby R-12 refrigerant, trade named Du Pont Freon, has been replaced by R134a. Touted as being environmentally safer than its predecessor, R-134a has been the standard since '94.
 
If your older vehicle needs major repairs to the air conditioning system you can expect to replace refrigerant and the oil in the compressor in addition to the old components. You may also need to install a retrofit conversion. Do not allow anyone to mix refrigerants, as they are not inter-changeable. You cannot add R-134a to your older air conditioner without first flushing the system. Further, according to the Car Care Council, some substitutes are volatile mixtures of propane, butane and flammable hydrocarbons. Keep in mind the fact that if your vehicle is leaking refrigerant, you're damaging the ozone layer.
 
An annual inspection of the vehicle, including the air conditioning system, may help forestall costly repairs. Many automotive repair shops offer A/C inspection specials during warm weather, and it's easy have your system evaluated so it can function at maximum efficiency.
 

Hot Summer Cars Need to Keep Their Cool

When it's hot outside, one of the last places you want to be is sitting in traffic without a properly functioning air conditioning (A/C) system. To help avoid this uncomfortable situation, the Car Care Council recommends having your A/C system...

Get Your Car Road Ready

Before you pack your car and hit the road for your next driving trip, we recommend conducting a pre-vehicle inspection to help avoid the inconvenience and potential safety hazards of breaking down miles away from home. A pre-trip vehicle suggested...

Three Out of Four Cars Need Service

If you own a vehicle, chances are it needs some work, according to the Car Care Council, and May is the ideal time to give your car some extra attention.   The results of vehicle inspections held at community car care events across the...

Spring Showers Bring Driving Safety Hazards

Worn out tires and windshield wiper blades are symptoms of neglected vehicle maintenance that put drivers and passengers at serious risk during the typically rainy months of spring.   Thin tire treads create hazardous driving conditions when...

April Car Care Tips

April is National Car Care Month and time to give your car some extra attention. Basic car care is the key to a long-lasting vehicle, improving its safety and dependability, says the Car Care Council. Check all fluids, including engine oil,...

Car Care Tips for Fuel Efficiency

1. Keeping your car properly tuned can increase gas mileage by 4 percent.   2. Replacing dirty air filters can improve mileage by as much as 14 percent.   3. Changing oil regularly can gain you a mile per gallon.   4. ...

People Not Buying New Cars As Often

People aren't going to buy cars every two or three years anymore, an automotive website says based on an unscientific poll it conducted online.   Now, 78% of the more than 4,000 people polled by AutoMD.com says they will keep their cars...

Easy Tips to Extend the Life of Your Vehicle

Drive with care every day and your car will reward you with longer intervals without major repair. Follow these easy tips to extend the life of your vehicle and schedule regular maintenance service at your local Auto-Lab. Do not race your...

National Car Care Tips

APRIL is national car care month! Give your car some extra attention this month to ensure that it runs smoothly all summer long! The following tips are recommendations from the Car Care Council: Check that the battery connection in your...

What To Do If Your Vehicle Overheats

Cars overheat most often in very hot weather. It’s rare with modern vehicles, but even a well-tuned automobile can overheat.   If you find yourself in stop-and-go traffic or climbing a steep grade on an extremely hot day, and your...

Pre-Spring Car Care Tips!

Spring is here!! The list below contains easy tips on how to prepare your vehicle for the rising temperatures. Tips are also available daily on the Auto-Lab Facebook and Twitter pages.   Check the Tires - It's crucial to check your...

Vehicle Maintenance: The Brake Fluid Flush

The brake fluid flush is one of the most frequently overlooked vehicle maintenance services. Many motorists simply do not realize that it is an item that should be on their maintenance list, while others seem skeptical when it is a recommended...

When Was The Last Time You Changed Your Wiper Blades?

Visibility is a key component to safe driving, yet many individuals do not change their wiper blades as often as they should. How often is recommended? We suggest changing your wiper blade a minimum of once a year and checking them at least every 6...

5 Tips For Safer Tires

Tip #1: Check Tire Pressure We recommend checking your car tires for proper inflation at least once a month. Under or over inflated tires give your car less grip on the road and increase your chances of a flat. If you don't enjoy getting your hands...

More Fuel Saving Tips

Due to the popular response to last week's edition of the Auto-Lab Dashboard and the increased cost of gas prices, we would like to provide our customers with additional fuel saving tips. They are as follows:   1. Use cruise control....

Fuel Saving Tips You Can Use Today

In many areas of the country, fuel prices have reached $4 a gallon and continue to rise. In fact, Thursday marked 23 consecutive days of fuel price increases. In light of these recent events, Auto-Lab would like to provide our customers with some...

Winter Battery Care

Learn how to keep your car battery running strong this winter so you don’t get stranded out in the cold waiting for a replacement.   Remember these winter car battery service tips for the best cold-temperature performance:   -...

Winter Tips: Driving In The Snow

- Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don't try to get moving in a hurry.   - Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the...
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