Drivers who have air con warned to spend £50 by end of week

Petrol and diesel drivers can boost fuel efficiency with an "essential" summer fix for £50. Experts at ClickMechanic revealed that re-gassing the air conditioning unit is an “absolute must” if motorists wish to save on petrol and diesel costs.

Andrew Jervis, spokesperson for ClickMechanic said: “Air conditioning is essential when it comes to driving during the summer months. Being behind the wheel in hot weather can become somewhat uncomfortable without air conditioning, so keeping it in good working order is an absolute must.

“However, it can be easy to forget to re-gas the air conditioning system which leaves it at greater risk of malfunctioning. This isn’t just a problem in summer, either. It can make it more difficult to de-mist windows in winter, so it’s important to keep it in good shape all year round.

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“It can also make vehicles less fuel efficient as the engine has to work harder and it can lead to pipe damage, too.” Mr Jervis added: “Air conditioning systems need to have the old refrigerant gas removed and replaced with new refrigerant every two years or so, depending on the model of the vehicle.

“It’s important to be aware of the key signs that it might not be working as it should, and then it’s a fairly simple task to get it sorted.” A car air conditioning system cools the temperature inside your car and helps to filter out pollen, pollutants and airborne bacteria.

The AC system works like your fridge at home - the air is cooled with a refrigerant gas and then circulates through your car. There are a few things to be mindful of when it comes to maintaining your car’s air conditioning system.

A blast of cool, refreshing air will certainly keep everyone happy when the sun is shining. But, as with many car components and consumables, the gas used to cool the air before it enters the cabin will eventually deplete.