How to tell your car's air con needs attention
Air conditioning rarely fails all at once — it fades gradually as refrigerant gas is lost, which is why most drivers only notice on the first properly warm day of summer, or the first foggy morning of winter. Here's what to watch, listen and smell for year-round.
Five signs your car needs a regas
Air conditioning fades slowly, so most drivers only notice on the first hot day of summer — or the first foggy morning of winter. These are the tell-tale signs it's time to book in.
Air, but not cold
The fan works fine but the air is lukewarm. Classic sign the gas has dropped too low.
A musty smell
Damp or sour odour when you switch it on means bacteria in the system. Ozone treatment sorts it.
Weak airflow
Even at full blast the flow feels feeble. Often a blocked cabin filter alongside low gas.
Rattles & noise
Unusual noise when the air con kicks in can point to a tired compressor. Worth catching early.
Windows stay foggy
Air con dries the air, which is what clears a misted windscreen fast. If it's still fogging up on cold mornings, the system needs a look.
A car's air con loses around 10% of its gas every year through normal use. That's why even a system that's never broken will eventually stop blowing properly cold — and why it's worth running the air con year-round, not just in summer. Switching it on for a few minutes each week through winter keeps the seals lubricated and the windscreen clear, and a regas every two to three years keeps the whole system healthy.
The right fix for each sign
Not sure which service you need? Here's the full list — or just get in touch and we'll work it out with you.
Air con regas & recharge
We vacuum the system, recharge it to the manufacturer's spec and check the vent temperature so you know it's genuinely cold again.
Learn moreLeak detection & diagnostics
A regas that keeps failing means a leak. We trace it with UV dye and electronic detection, then fix the cause instead of just refilling.
Learn moreFull air con service
A complete check of compressor, condenser, pressures and filters, keeping the system efficient and your fuel use down.
Learn moreO3 ozone sanitisation
Carried over from the workshop — an ozone treatment that kills the bacteria and mould behind that damp, musty cabin smell.
Learn morePollen & cabin filter
A blocked filter chokes airflow and traps smells. We replace it as part of a service so air flows freely and clean.
Learn moreVans & small fleets
Keep drivers comfortable and productive. We handle vans and fleet vehicles, with flexible drop-offs to suit a working week.
Learn more