With triple digits forecast this week, your Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals (NARPRO) are sharing ways to prepare your car for summer and get the most out of your car’s air conditioning:

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• Skip the pre-cool. Don’t waste time and gas by running your car’s A/C before you hit the road. The system works better when you’re driving because the faster the engine runs, the faster the A/C compressor runs.

• Parking in the shade is your best defense against the heat. Or use a sunshade.

• Feel like an oven? If your car is broiling when you get in, roll down the windows and set control for outside air, which will force out the hot air. When vents are blowing cool air, roll the windows up. If no one is in the back seats, switch to the control to recirculate. It’s the most effective mode when you want to quickly cool down the car or prevent outside pollutants, odors or smoke from entering the vehicle.  

• Got backseat passengers? Don’t recirculate: Recirculation mode takes air from the front and pulls it back through the system so the people in front stay cool while the air in the back can become hot.

If you’re A/C is running warm:

• You may have a refrigerant leak and need recharging. Visit a certified mechanic to get it running properly.

• A dirty cabin air filter could be to blame. The filter collects debris and needs to be cleaned for the A/C to run correctly.

• Low volume can be an issue with the ducts. If you hear the blower running but don’t feel it, have a trusted mechanic inspect the ducts.

• The culprit could be your car’s cooling system, not the air conditioning. If your vehicle is running too hot, it can shut off the A/C. It will blow, but not be cool

Because Arizona drivers rely heavily on their cars’ air conditioners for several months, it’s a good idea to prepare your car for summer and have your system inspected. NARPRO shops have certified mechanics who can explain the process and get your car’s A/C ready for our summer heat.