Workshops advised to ‘prep now’ for air con season

'Perfect storm' represent opportunity to upsell air conditioning checks as part of other servicing tasks or repairs

Workshops advised to ‘prep now’ for air con season
Image: Bigstock.

With so many cars sitting idle for much of the past year, it’s likely that air con faults will emerge as the next ‘forgotten problem’ of lockdown, LKQ Euro Car Parts has said.

With demand set to spike in the weeks ahead the factor suggests it represents an opportunity for garages.

Colin Cottrell, marketing and central operations director at LKQ Euro Car Parts said: “Right now, we’re heading into something of a perfect storm on the air conditioning front.

“Air con systems are comprised of an intricate network of pressure valves, and there is a natural, gradual dispersal of gas throughout their lifecycles, resulting in a loss of around five per cent capacity each year.

“But prolonged periods of non-use can cause air conditioning seals to weaken, speeding up this process.

“Eventually, this means the system can no longer filter air with maximum efficiency, causing moisture to build up in the filters.

“This is particularly problematic at this time of year, with the filters then more likely to attract pollen, spores and bacteria.

“And properly functioning air con isn’t just critical for comfort in the cabin; it’s important for overall vehicle health and helps prevent the engine or battery from overheating.”

Colin suggests garage owners should take the opportunity to upsell air con checks as part of other service tasks or repairs.

He added: “Regassing, for example, is a great opportunity to drive additional revenue as part of a standard service.

“Currently, no manufacturer mandates that air conditioning forms part of a regular vehicle service, but being able to explain to drivers why it’s important to get their system checked means they’ll most likely to be happy to go for it.”

LKQ Euro Car Parts has 12 full-time Autoclimate engineers on-hand to support customers working in independent garages, franchises, bodyshops and fast-fits throughout the UK.

Autoclimate is the largest automotive air con supplier in the UK, with the team carrying out more than 8,000 service and repair activities in an average year, for more than 14,000 customers – and providing free, full-service technical support.

Colin added: “We’re also encouraging technicians to complete dedicated refrigerant handling qualification courses via our AutoEducation Academy.

“While most air con systems work in a similar way, it’s important to understand the differences between the various refrigerant products they’ll be handling, and to know how to service these systems safely and effectively.”

Home Page Forums Workshops advised to ‘prep now’ for air con season

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  • #212477 Reply

    With so many cars sitting idle for much of the past year, it’s likely that air con faults will emerge as the next ‘forgotten problem’ of lockdown, LKQ
    [See the full post at: Workshops advised to ‘prep now’ for air con season]

    #212479 Reply
    Meat-Head
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    What a fud how can air con cool down a battery, pumping hot air into hot engine bay.

    No mention of keep an eye on pressure in system, if fan not working
    And something goes bang, deaf blind, blow an arm/leg or fire shrapnel
    Into someone else’s car or face. Soon shred a bumper into a million pieces.

    Dangerous stuff. This R1234YF is silly pressures and flammable.

    What happens if car gets driven into a bollard at night with people near by?

    Hid lights light the gas?

    Then you got some Mercedes running a/c on carbon dioxide!

    Should only be fitted if has to be, eg DMC 12. And some ferraris
    And security vans, blood wagon etc where is a must.

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