OCR Text |
Show Run Air Conditioning It may sound strange, but you should run your car's air conditioning system about once a month during the wintertime, win-tertime, advises the Automotive Automo-tive Information Council (AIC). IF YOU don't the seals - . especially the one for the compressor shaft - can begin to leak freon. Freon is the chemical gas which is the refrigerant. Running the air conditioner periodically for about five minutes each time will lubricate the seals and other internal parts and keep the system operational until warm weather returns. IT THEREFORE is obvious that the compressor drive belts should not be removed during the winter. The level of freon also should be checked to see that the system is properly charged. This should be done not only now but again in the spring. . MOST UNITS have a small -inspection glass installed on a line leading to the evaporator. The glass often is difficult to spot because of oil and grime covering it, so clean off the line with a cloth. With the air-conditioner operating at fast idle, check the sight glass and if there is a continual stream of cloudy bubbles you can assume that the system needs a charge of freon. Canisters of "freon and installation in-stallation valves are available at auto parts stores for a few dollars, but a do-it-yourselfer is cautioned that freon, when carelessly handled, can result in severe frostbite. The use of goggles is a must to avoid eye damage. Improper installation installa-tion of freon also can damage the system. THAT'S WHY it usually is advised that a car owner go to a proper service facility j I recharge. Those shops'--! have testers to deierrne-the deierrne-the system is leaking. Air-conditioning no"'? , of the most popular opo-v , an automobile, with-;, i percent of new cars ; equipped with inem aLheVtenpercenlW, stalled later. AC COSTS several '1'- dollars and more. ?',, seasonal care will h tectthat investmer i Automotive M'"1-Council. |