The warm weather travel season is upon us, and for many Canadians, that means road tripping is soon to begin.
Below, let’s look at a few ways to quickly and easily make sure your climate control system is up to snuff, and that it’s not concealing any trouble that might be waiting to rear its head on the hottest day of the year.
You can use these tips in two ways.
First, if you’re test-driving a used car, pickup or SUV, the exercises below can help reveal potential trouble with that vehicle’s climate control system, possibly saving you headaches and plenty of money.
In fact, most of the tips below draw from online discussion among vehicle owners who have experienced and fixed a climate control problem with their newer car or truck.
Second, you can use these same tips and checks in the vehicle you’re currently driving, to help ensure its climate control system is in tip-top shape, or to help diagnose any trouble you happen to be experiencing.
Coolant levels and coolant leaks
Inside of your car’s engine, a liquid coolant is pumped through the engine where it absorbs heat that’s drawn off by air flowing through the radiator. Some of the heat in the engine’s coolant is also used to heat the cabin of your vehicle.
Low coolant levels can cause climate control problems, or be caused by problems with climate control system components. They’re also bad for your engine.
Be sure to check your vehicle’s coolant level (or have a professional do it), noting that low engine coolant can cause issues with climate control performance, or be a sign of a leaky heater core. Aside from your climate control system, low coolant levels may also be a sign of other serious trouble, so don’t skip this check.
Thankfully, checking engine coolant levels is quick and easy. Your owner’s manual has the full scoop, but remember to never remove a cap while the engine is still hot.
2022 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Coolant Washer Photo by Emily Chung
The A/C stress test
Air conditioner not chilling like it used to? Want to make sure the A/C in that used F-150 you’re considering is performing well? There’s an easy way to help coax out air conditioner performance issues, whether in your current car or a used car you’re considering.
First, go for a good drive that gets the engine nice and hot. Do this on the hottest day possible. With a piping-hot engine, park the car in the blazing sun and blast the air conditioner to the max.
Sit back a few minutes and make sure that cold air arrives quickly, and more importantly, that it stays consistently cool for a few minutes.
In numerous makes and models, owners say this particular air conditioner stress test can reveal trouble signs of a system that may be undercharged, leaking, or suffering from some electronic or mechanical trouble.
Is the air just as cold after 5 minutes of idling with a hot engine as it was when you parked? If not, or if the vehicle struggles to provide cool air consistently, you’ll want to have a professional take a closer look.
Distribution test
This is a handy test to do when buying a used car or truck, because it could save you a lot of hassle and money.
The job? Make sure that you’re able to get air at your selected temperature from every possible outlet in the car.
Starting with cold air, select the defroster vent, dash vents, floor vents, any other vents available, and any possible combination of those vents. Do the same on the passenger side, if the vehicle has a dual-zone climate control system.
Working manually, summon cool, then warm, then hot air, checking for its presence at each vent along the way. Don’t forget the rear-seat climate control system, either.
Any difficulty getting the temperature of air you’re after at the vent you want can be a sign of trouble within the climate control system’s plumbing, likely with a blend door or controller solenoid that’s stuck, damaged, or failed.
Accessing these parts for repair can be pricey and time-consuming. Thankfully, this check only takes a few minutes. If you notice any trouble, proceed with caution and have a technician investigate further.
The all-new 2022 INFINITI QX60’s spacious interior cabin is highly functional and intuitive. Standard tri-zone automatic climate control also has been significantly enhanced with more efficient second- and third-row ventilation. AUTOGRAPH grade shown. Not yet available for purchase. Expected availability, late 2021. Pre-production model shown. Actual production model may vary. Photo by Infiniti
Cabin air filter
If you drive a modern car, chances are it has a cabin air filter. This lowly part has the job of filtering dirt, pollen and various other particles and debris from the air, before that air is sucked into your car by the climate control system.
Like all filters, the cabin air filter will eventually become clogged and require replacement. Some cars have more than one filter, many can be changed in a minute or two with minimal (if any) tools. Your owner’s manual has the scoop.
A clogged cabin air filter is a leading cause of performance problems with climate control systems, including weak heat, weak air conditioning, poor defroster performance, and even water leaks and air conditioning system damage.
Ensuring that the car you’re driving now (or the used car you’re considering) is running a clean and free-flowing cabin air filter can fend off numerous common heat and air conditioning problems.
Replacing an air filter is a fairly simple DIY job, but there are certainly other more intensive tasks that probably call for help. Photo by Getty
Blockages and damage
Leaves, sticks, bugs, pine needles, and other types of debris have ways of working themselves into strange parts of our cars and trucks over time. In some cases, debris like this can even result in problematic blockages that reduce climate control system performance.
Your car has an air intake, usually at the lower edge of the windshield near where the wipers park. It’s used to draw in outside air, which passes through the cabin air filter and into the cabin itself. If this air intake is covered by snow and ice, leaves and sticks, or anything else, the performance of your climate control system may suffer, as it struggles to move enough air.
Elsewhere, your car likely has an air conditioning condenser — basically a mini radiator that probably sits in front of the larger radiator used by your car’s engine. The condenser if often placed down low in a vehicle’s front bumper, where it’s exposed to potentially damaging road debris like rocks and salt, as well as blockage-causing debris like leaves and sticks.
Get down low and check the condenser on your car or truck, or the car or truck you’re considering. Keeping it free of blockages helps the air conditioner perform better.
Note that a heavily damaged condenser may result in a refrigerant leak, which will weaken or eliminate air conditioner performance and require professional repair.
Keyword: Used Car Guide: Finding climate control problems before you buy