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Even the most dedicated automotive DIYers can be intimidated by their car’s air conditioning system. To replace most components in the system, you must first drain the freon gas. And discharging freon is a tricky procedure, best done by a professional. But there are still four A/C maintenance tasks to keep you HVAC system blowing cold, that you are probably neglecting.

The simplest, A/C-related maintenance task is replacing your car’s cabin air filter. This filter is important for more systems than just A/C. Neglecting to change it impacts the quality of the air you breathe while driving your car. But if you need another reason to swap it, know that neglecting it could put extra strain on your A/C system, reduce its efficiency, and even wear it out quickly.

Ever noticed a musty smell coming from your A/C system? In the worst cases, it can be reminiscent of rotten lettuce. This is caused by mold in your A/C system. The mold could be growing in the above-mentioned cabin air filter. Or it could be living in the evaporator. Luckily, a simple procedure can address many mold issues: Spray a special HVAC disinfectant into the air intake and run the system. This is a great seasonal maintenance task. The disinfectant can be $7 to $15 a can.

One reason an A/C system may get moldy is the drain tube that allows condensation to escape from that evaporator gets plugged. So a third important maintenance task is to look up where the drain is located in your vehicle, run the A/C, and confirm water is coming out.

Finally, you can top off the amount of freon gas in your A/C system. This is something you can do with a freon “recharge” can, at home. This is because you don’t need to drain the rest of your circuit to add freon. But this shouldn’t be a yearly procedure. If your A/C needs a top up yearly, you have a leak that you should bring to a professional.

So there you go, four A/C system maintenance tasks you can look into this season to get the most “chill” out of your HVAC system–just in time for summer. Next, find out what you can do if your car’s air conditioner stops working. Or see how to recharge your A/C system yourself in the video below:

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.