How Does An Air Conditioning System Work?
Your vehicle’s air conditioning system is a complex collection of components that all need to work efficiently to provide you with a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience. To help you to understand your air conditioning system and what’s required for it to perform at its best, we’ve created a guide to help answer some of the most common air conditioning questions.
What components make up my vehicle’s air conditioning system?
Typical air conditioning systems in automobiles consist of eight essential elements which include;
- Condenser
- Dryer
- Receiver
- Lines
- Expansion valve
- Compressor
- Evaporator
- Blower
How can air conditioning be beneficial in my vehicle?
In warmer climates, air conditioning can help to chill your car to a comfortable level. Blowing out cooler air, air conditioning can help you to enjoy driving in warm weather and making your car a refreshing change from outside. As well as creating a more comfortable temperature, other benefits of air conditioning include;
- Reduced misted windows in the winter thanks to producing warm air that has been dehumidified
- Lower condensation levels to improve visibility levels for added safety
- Improved conditions for allergy sufferers as air conditioning can help to filter pollutants and particles
- Cleaner air for enjoyment
Does air conditioning need servicing?
Like any part of a car, servicing is essential to make sure every component is working efficiently. A service ensures it is fully functional by checking for leaks, measuring pressure levels and making sure there is no damage to hoses, pipes and seals. A service will also review the levels of coolant, to make sure your system doesn’t seize up.
Is a recharge different from a service?
With use and age, the effectiveness of your air conditioning can rapidly decrease, as the levels of refrigerant are reduced. It is estimated that air conditioning systems lose around 15% of refrigerant every year. Running the system without the required levels of coolant can damage components and reduce the performance levels. A recharge is recommended every three years to ensure optimal air conditioning and to reduce the risk of expensive air conditioning repairs.
How can I run my air conditioning efficiently?
To lower the temperature in your vehicle as efficiently as possible, start by opening the windows and positioning the air vents to face level, and the system is set to expel air at the level, not at feet level. Ensure the air conditioning system is configured to recirculate and then turn the temperature as low as possible and increase the blower speed to maximum. Shut the windows and let the air conditioning cool the car interior. Once at a comfortable level, set the vents so that they point upwards, as cold air will fall and reduce the blower speed.
Should I run air conditioning throughout winter?
It is important to utilise the air conditioning system at least once a week in your vehicle, even in cold weather, to make sure that the system doesn’t seize up and it continues to perform at its best.
Customer Review
Natalie Williams
Really impressed with the service. The mechanic had arrived within 75 mins to drain the wrong fuel from our car. The job was completed within 30 mins for a very reasonable price. The mechanic was professional and very reassuring. My husband had driven approx 3 miles with the wrong fuel and I was reassured no damage would have been caused. Thanks for fab service and doing a great job at a reasonable price.
Helen Barney
Really impressed with the service. The mechanic had arrived within 75 mins to drain the wrong fuel from our car. The job was completed within 30 mins for a very reasonable price. The mechanic was professional and very reassuring. My husband had driven approx 3 miles with the wrong fuel and I was reassured no damage would have been caused. Thanks for fab service and doing a great job at a reasonable price.
EMI Bloodworth
Couldn't recommend enough. Obviously it's a high stress situation if you need to call them but Wendy on the phone immediately put me at ease. Provided full information on the phone, explaining the process, how long it will take and how long they would be before reaching us. The only criticism I'd have (and it's super minor and unimportant) is that maybe Google maps is a bit difficult to pin point exact locations and it might be worth using 'what 3 words' as a more exact location tracker. But. Wendy was able to find where we were with the minimal information we had, so it wasn't a massive issue. Paul turned up with plenty of notice and was super professional and got straight to work. He was friendly, reassuring and most importantly didn't make my other half look stupid for putting the wrong fuel in my car. Couldn't recommend enough. Hopefully we've learnt our lesson and won't have to call again but if you're in this situation and in their area use this service.
Paddy’s Fitness
Very professional and friendly, came on time m. I would highly recommend their service to anyone. You won't be disappointed.
Sian Evans
I phoned today on Boxing Day after putting petrol into my diesel car. Neil came out within 40 minutes & quickly sorted out my car. He was professional, friendly and compassionate. I can't recommend him highly enough! I phoned around for quotes & he was cheaper than all, including the AA (who I'm with but don't cover this!) I will be saving his details for friends & future mistakes (or hopefully not!) Thank you Neil
Mr Ludlow
I called NW Fuel Drain after filling my Mazda CX-5 with petrol instead of diesel in Wythenshawe, Cheshire! And I drove off before realising my mistake… I spoke with Neil who reassured me that it would be ok and that there would be no lasting damage. He turned up 15 minutes earlier than advised and set about the repair immediately, tank drained, rear seat out and opened up another tank (didn’t even know it was there!), engine drained and then he flushed it through with fresh diesel. 25 minutes and I was back up and running and still on time for my meeting! Absolutely no hesitation in recommending this company to anyone that’s put the wrong fuel in! Professional, prompt, courteous, knowledgeable, clean, just superb from phone call to completion
Peter Sheady
Rang early today all done by 10 o’clock. Lovely genuine guy and a fraction of the cost of others. I’m in RAC and they worked out nearly £100 more. Definitely use him again but no offence hope not too.
Jen Murphy
Thank you so much to Neil for getting my car back on the road. Came to my rescue swiftly and sorted the problem in no time. highly recommended
Caroline Jayne Sadler
Super fast and efficient service, thanks Neil! I was stranded after putting petrol in my boyfriends diesel van by mistake. Oops! Neil came to the rescue within an hour and had me back on the road really quickly! I would definitely recommend NW Fuel Drain if you’re ever unfortunate enough to do what I did! :)
Ian Fettes
Accidentally put wrong fuel in car on Wednesday evening in Heswell called nw fuel drain . At 7.15 by the time me and family went to the kebab shop sat down by the car and ate it he had turned up done job an was on my way again within 30mins . ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ service from him thanks so much would recommend him always.
Damian Mc
10/10 for customers service and fixed a silly mistake in a professional and efficient manner. Would definitely recommend this company
Patrycja Pasiok
Great service, quick response and Neil makes you believe you are not the dumbest person in the world 🤪😁 defenitely reccomended 👍👍👍
Sally Shipley
Great service! Helpful, friendly and most of all got my car back on the road! Hopefully I won’t need you again (🤞🏻) but I would definitely recommend to others. Thank you.
Pamela Stockton
I rang NW Fuel Drain on Saturday, he said he would be with me within a hour, he was. He was a very pleasant man. He went above and beyond his job on my car. The service was fantastic and the job was completed quickly
Josef Wood
My car's performance had deteriorated and was almost undrivealble. I took it to North West Fuel Drain and they reassuringly explained how they would diagnose the fault, repair the vehicle and how much it would cost, without the usual "teeth sucking"! The result was a perfectly running car. Neil at North West is very knowledgeable, straight talking and provided an excellent service. I highly recommend this company for DPF and fuel related issues. Many thanks for your assistance!🙂👍
Clare Porter
thank you so much for sorting the dpf out on my little van today, it's running like a dream! An no lights or beeps flashing at me. Great service and Neil even came and picked my van and dropped it back off for me where I was working today! awesome customer service, highly recommend! 👍👍👍 Thanks
Jason Lloyd
Thankyou to NW Auto services for the remapping on my Audi A3 Sline excellent service The performance is much better. Highly recommended
Jack Neil
Absolutely amazing service from Neil and the team. Enquires about a remap on my Mazda 3 told me the spec of my car now and what he can do it to, meanwhile he came to the garage where I work to have tyres and tracking, and he did my car while waited for his van and still charged me the same as if I was to go to his workshop. That’s customer service, and that’s what you call 2 local family businesses working together. Thanks Neil car pulls like a train 🚗💨🚗💨🚗💨
Rachel Adamson
Tow Bar Fitted to my CRV great job!!! fantastic and friendly service couldn’t recommend enough. Thank You Woody👍
Katie Mutter-Smith
My husband put the wrong fuel in his Focus ST and drove it back home! We thought the worst and that it would take days in a garage and cost ££££s!!! We found NW Fuel Drain on google and gave them a call.... One phone call and it was sorted within the hour. A great guy. Highly recommended 👍
Nancy Bennett
I’ve just had NW Fuel drain out for my friends diesel car that I had stupidly filled up with petrol! Absolute panic but they sorted it so fast and efficiently we couldn’t believe it. So relieved! Thankyou again.
Tommy Wheeler
had a terraclean and remap done on my a6 today car is running so much better and was done in no time! highly recommended
Steven Conway
Just used this service, called the free phone number at 9.00 am all sorted by 10.30 am. On your doorstep service or where ever your car grinds to a halt. If you're thinking of doing this yourself then think again unless you know what you're doing. They have loads of knowledge and kit on the vans and I was amazed at speed a professionalism of the service. My mother made the easy mistake of putting £30 worth of unleaded in here diesel BMW. Easily done but surprisingly easily fixed when you call these guys. Cheers. [caption id="attachment_454" align="alignnone" width="300"] Super fast, knowledgeable & Professional! Call NW Fuel Drain 01513742421[/caption]
Absolutely amazing service from Neil and the team. Enquires about a remap on my Mazda 3 told me the spec of my car now and what he can do it to, meanwhile he came to the garage where I work to have tyres and tracking, and he did my car while waited for his van and still charged me the same as if I was to go to his workshop. That’s customer service, and that’s what you call 2 local family businesses working together. Thanks Neil car pulls like a train
Charles Lodge
Visited Neil as I allegedly had a DPF issue with my Toyota Yaris diesel.Neil systematically diagnosed the problem as excessive oil in the system and drained it accordingly .The car is now running as it should be. Neil was very knowledgeable regarding DPF problems and is fully equipped to deal with any issues.I would not hesitate to return ,he is a pleasant and trustworthy guy. Cheers Neil.
Katie Pea
amazing service today thanks so much for sorting my DPF blockage and regeneration so quickly. great service and great price. thanks also for my car care kit will come in very handy! would highly recommend NW Auto Services.
Lucy Yates
Called Neil out today as I had mis fuelled my Mazda. Was here within 15 minutes great service back on the road within half an hour. Highly recommend!!!
Julie Simkins
Brilliant friendly service. Very professional and lots cheaper than going though the big recovery companies. Would recommend to anyone
Michael Kirkham
The petrol my mum used from the local garage was contaminated with water , we called a few places but this fella was recommended and when we spoke to him he seemed to know what he was talking about . He came out the same night and reassured us it would be fine. He was a good price and very professional throughout . Highly recommended. Thanks
Aidan Fitzsimmons
Was recommended this garage by a friend of mine. Being in the car trade myself it's hard to find good reliable mechanics. Neil "wolfman" was spot on from the word go. Many thanks for your help. Regards Aidan
Nigel Goodson
A quick, efficient, service. Back on the road in no time 😀
Andy Walmsley
Fast efficient service very pleasant operative was with me within 40 minutes and solved the problem within 15 minutes all in all a very good experience although hopefully I won’t be dumb enough to need them again 😂 petrol in a diesel duh 🙄
Gail Oldfield
Neil was with me with 40 mins which was great, sorted within a matter of minutes and waited while I re-filled.. with the right fuel! Thank you - great service.
Danny Inglis
Great service, issue diagnosed over the phone before seeing the car. Quick turn around time as I was going on holiday. Would highly recommend.
Kilpauk
The communication was excellent. The technician was courteous and very friendly. The most important thing is he had a smile . Thank you
Sue Travis
Prompt service. Efficient and effective. Polite, even brought a cup of tea for me! RAC had been unable to come out until the following day, so I was grateful to get sorted quickly.
Donna Dunn
Neil was an absolute hero, I phoned him really early this morning and he was with me by 7.15am. The job was all done in about 20 mins. Excellent service and highly recommend. 10/10 👍🏽👍🏽
Nicky Critchley
Came to my rescue yesterday after putting petrol in a diesel car! Thank you for the great and speedy service, and a great cost too! Will definitely recommend.
Rob Kenyon
Couldnt recommend these highly enough great service and got my car working again in no time after i contaminated my fuel.
Chris drew
Called Neil out this evening as my mother in law had misfuelled. Neil attended within 40 mins and had them underway again. All this in just over an hour from initial phone call. Great professional service highly recommended
Mark Lightowler
They responded very quickly and were extremely professional. The price quoted was far cheaper than one of the main National Recovery companies. Highly recommended.
Mark Murphy
Great service great friendly manner when sorting out my fuel problem . Was almost a pleasure to put the wrong fuel in!!!!!!!!
Janet Graham
Very please with the quick service, car runs as good as new. After a long on going problem. Thanks Neil
Cindee Elmer
Quick dispatch, short wait, and reasonable price. I’ll be sure never to take the car dealer’s word for fuel type again, but Neil made an unfortunate oversight pain free! Definitely recommend.
Ant Fairclough
A very professional job . Well mannered and got me back on the road very quickly. Recommend
Mr Farley
My car developed a DPF problem. Neil sorted it out, and I decided to have a terraclean. Money very well spent. The car feels more responsive, quicker and quieter. Takes card too, which is a bonus! Can't recommend enough!
Mel
Fantastic service. Professional and skilled. Paul worked so hard to fix our car fast and was so helpful and patient. I would recommend this service to anyone and will be passing their details to friends and family. Thank you
Sian
Excellent service we were back on the road within 40 minutes from calling NW fuel drain to having the fuel removed engine cleaned and back on the road!!! Really is a fabulous service with great professional staff
Chris
I’d spoken with my insurance company who had charged me £220 to drain the wrong fuel out of my BMW Mini which I dutifully paid. They told me 90 minutes before a patrol could be dispatched! Whilst waiting I asked on Facebook for recommendations... NW Fuel Drain got mentioned several times so I called. I spoke with Wendy who advised that they could be with me in 20 minutes and were £80 cheaper! I booked them and called my insurance company to cancel... NW fuel drain had arrived on scene, drained the tank and had me filling up with the correct fuel even before the insurance had answered the call, I was STILL on hold! I managed to get a full refund off my insurance and an apology for not being able to deal with it quicker. I hope never to do it again but if I do I’ll definitely call these guys again.
Kym
Ok... I spoke with Neil a few weeks ago who gave me sound advice on cleaning the egr valve on my Vauxhall Astra. However, trying to save some money I went with the cheaper hydrogen carbon clean! They talked me through the process and it seemed to make sense... how wrong could I be!!! The guy turned up in an old van and what would best be described as a lunch box with a pipe coming from it? He ran my car for 20 minutes whilst occasionally red lining the revs??? Anyway, afterwards he seemed quite impressed with himself as there was a puddle on the floor at the back of the car... I took it for a run and it was exactly the same as before? When I asked him he said it would get better? IT NEVER! £80 wasted!! I called Neil back and explained what I’d done, he was very sympathetic and told me to bring my car in for him to look at. On examining my car he found the egr valve in a right mess and that whatever had been done had made no difference to the carbon build up at all! [caption id="attachment_241" align="alignnone" width="300"] This was my egr valve after a hydrogen carbon clean![/caption] He talked me through the Terraclean procedure and that the cleaning solution is injected direct into the egr, exhaust side first followed by the intake side ensuring that they both get a full clean, he ran the car at different rev speeds and adjusted the flow on his equipment until all the fluid had gone. After removing his equipment and showing me the results after the clean I was astounded! [caption id="attachment_242" align="alignnone" width="300"] Results after the Terraclean egr clean[/caption] He put the car back together and took it for a test drive with me in the car to remove the remaining fluid and all I can say is... it’s like a different car! No flat spot or hesitation whilst accelerating and I could physically see the pipes were clean! I just wish I’d have listened to him in the first place and not wasted £80 on hydrogen s**t!!! If you’ve got egr problems then speak with these guys first before wasting your money on cheaper alternatives
Kris
I mistakenly put £30 of diesel in my petrol Audi A3 in Chester! I had a quick look through google and called several companies... I was quoted £190 upwards most told me they couldn’t do it till the following day! NOT what you want to hear on a cold, wet night 60 odd miles from home! I came across this website and wasn’t holding much hope for any better than I’d already found but Neil put me at ease straight away, he told me he could have a technician with me in a maximum of 25 minutes and the process takes around 30 minutes to complete and over £45 cheaper than I’d been quoted earlier! To good to be true... NO! Jack turned up in 15 minutes with a state of the art truck, carried out the repair, put some fresh fuel in and i was ready to go!!! I think from the time I called and them finishing was under an hour! Unbelievable, the website was great, the phone manner off neil was impeccable and the technician certainly knew his stuff! If you’re ever in this predicament then don’t bother calling anyone else just use these guys first! Thankyou NW Fuel Drain
Mr Barlow
Hello at Fuel Drain. This is a message for Neil the technician who attended my car the Jaguar XJ reg ***DWB on Friday the 8th of November at around 11.00 at the service station in Ormskirk. First of all let me thank you for coming to my aid on the day quickly and dealing with the problem so professionally, first class service when it was needed.
ashley williams
wow!! would definitely recommend this company to anyone who makes the mistake of pumping the wrong fuel into there car. Arrived to my relatives car within 20 minutes after phoning them and on a Friday night after 10pm!! so professional and great customer service.
wendy ashton
cannot rate this company highly enough, car filled with contaminated diesel and then would not start, just banged and smoked, extortionate prices given by my local garages, but NW Fuel Drain came out and sorted the problem at a fraction of the cost, wonderful friendly reception staff, wonderful friendly mechanic and most of all, car fixed within an hour and i'm delighted...........one very very very happy customer :-)
danielle walker
really pleased with the service! he arrived quicker than expected and was lovely! THANKS
Annie Doherty
my dad put petrol in his diesel car and within an hour of getting in touch these guys had the problem sorted. great service and super efficient! would highly recommend if you are ever in this situation!
Ian Reynolds
Neil was very punctual and got to me within 40 minutes. I was back on the road in 20. Very professional service and helped me out of my predicament. Would definitely recommend to friends and family.
Ruth Pickworth
Fantastic service. Neil was very quick to come and help, he sorted my problem out in no time. Plus, no comments on my stupidity of filling up tank with wrong petrol!! Thanks
Range rover sport
Superb, new exactly what to do...reset the filler neck and drained the car off really quick. Neil even put the right fuel in for me while I waited in the shop.
Ian came to the rescue after another firm told me over the phone that my car couldn't be drained without it being taken away and the fuel tanks taken off...costing £340. i called nw fuel drain who sent Ian out and he just got on with it, no need to remove the tank, he just went under the rear seats? 2 tanks drained and back on the road in 50 minutes. excellent!!!!
John
You were great. I had put petrol in my diesel VW Passat £20 to be exact, realised this & did not drive the car, but held up the petrol staton Thank goodness they had your card at the till. You arrived early had me on the road within 20mins. Thanks you.
Sue
Excellent swift service and I was not left feeling the idiot I obviously had been - a Knight on Shining Armour rescued me!
Kevin McKenna
Very friendly, helpful, efficient and prompt service at a very good price. I do not hesitate to recommend. cheers
Should have known better in Mercedes E-Class
Due to temporary colour blindness I mistakenly put unleaded into my diesel merc!! The lovely lady in the shell garage gave me the phone number for NW FUEL DRAIN. I was back on the road in less than an hour with my pride intact. My wife made my same mistake a few years earlier, in cost me £5,000 to repair the car. Great service.
Coach Hire Booking (John Slater)
After our driver filled up with the wrong fuel rang you and within a short period of time you had drained the tank and our driver was on his way super job.
Liz
Thank goodness it was him & not me that put petrol in my diesel B M W!! NW Fuel Drain were prompt, non critical, very professional & reasonably priced, in fact all you require after a disaster-waiting to happen to any of us.
Gordon
My son put petrol in his diesel car and thought the world was going to end. Phoned the company. Arrived an hour later, 9.20pm, after a 40 odd mile journey on a bitterly cold and icy night. Thoroughly cleaned out the tank, fuel lines, filter and injector system. £10 of diesel included in price. About half the price that it cost my daughter in law with another company, two years ago. I am not easily impressed, but cannot speak highly enough of the service provided. Many thanks.
Kelly
Called NW FUEL DRAIN last week after having a day from hell! Jack turned up and straight away made me feel at ease, gave the children some chocolate (who by this point where bored senseless) and then he got on with the job. He was quick and tidy and I was back on the road in just over half an hour:-) I can't thank him enough for coming to the rescue.
Norman
Excellent service!!!!, extremely friendly and most of all efficient. Daughter had mistakenly put unleaded in her diesel Fiat. Dad to the rescue, found the phone number on the Internet, one call was all it took. Many thanks, Norman.
Mark
Fantastic response time and very professional, friendly service. Fearing the worst as I had not only put unleaded in my diesel car but had also driven it around and about for 25 miles before I had realised my mistake. Paul had my car sorted and running again with in 30 mins. I will be fully recommending their service to friends and family. A very big thank you.
Kim
I mistakenly put diesel in my petrol car and drove it 20 mile before it conked out. I called my breakdown company who told me that it couldn't be fixed due to it being driven? I came across Neil via a friend on Facebook and thought I'd give him a call, he told me it could be fixed and he could be with me in 20 minutes. Sure enough he turned up and had my car running again in half an hour! Superb service and very polite, no mess and NO hidden charges.
Very upset motorist
I mistakenly put £120 of unleaded into my autoquest motorhome! After calling my breakdown company at 9 in the morning, they told me it would cost £436 to remove the fuel but couldn't get to me till gone 2 o'clock!!! Then to add insult to injury they wanted paying upfront with a £100 cancellation fee imposed if I changed my mind!!! I told them where to stick it and had a look on the Internet, I called Neil who was very helpful and courteous he told me the price and said he could be with me in 20 minutes:-) he didn't want paying till the job was done either. Sure enough he was with me in under 20 minutes and just got on with the job in hand, he had the fuel tank drained quickly with no mess and I was on my way again. I'm only writing this because I wasn't even aware that a service like this existed! Now I tell everyone to keep the number on their phones. People are quick enough to write a bad review but I feel that a superb service like this needs to be mentioned. WELL DONE NEIL FOR A SUPERB SERVICE! YOU ARE A TRUE BUSINESSMAN WHO STANDS BY YOUR PROMISE. I HOPE YOUR BUSINESS GROWS INTO A TRULY SUCCESSFUL COMPANY THAT YOU DESERVE.
P.Fletcher
Called at 3.30pm from a side road in Liverpool; despite fuel flushers being based in Cheshire they were with me within 45 mins and I was back on the road for 5pm. Not the best feeling in the world putting the wrong fuel in your car ! Neil’s fantastic customer care and great personality put me in a much better frame of mind. I would recommend 100% !! Great service thanks.