How To Make Your Car AC Colder - Vehicle Freak

• Emma Davies

Updated on August 26, 2022

During those hot summer days, long car journeys can feel like torture without the AC on. However, even when the blowers are blasting out cool air, sometimes it’s not enough, you need to temperature in the car to be even colder. If you are searching for ways how to make your car AC colder, you have come to the right place.

If you want to make your car AC colder, there are several methods you can try to cool the air down more. Recharging the refrigerant is a common solution, as is locating and repairing any leaks. Unclogging the cabin filter is an effective way to increase the volume of cold air produced and using a refrigerant additive can also help the AC to produce colder air.

How Does the Car AC System Work?

Before we share the best ways to make your car AC colder, let’s first look at the basics of the vehicle AC system. The AC system in your car is made up of several components.

Each part of the system plays a vital role in the overall performance of the AC. If there’s an issue with one part, there will likely be a knock-on effect and the AC will not blow out the cold air you so desperately want on a hot summer’s day.

Here is a list of the main components in a car’s AC system:

• Condenser
• Compressor
• Expansion valve
• Refrigerant (traditionally Freon)
• Accumulator
• Blowers/vents

All car AC systems are pressurized with a refrigerant and different vehicles require different amounts. If you need to know how much refrigerant your car AC system needs, this information should be available in the owner’s manual.

The AC system works by the compressor compressing the refrigerant and turning it into a liquid. The fluid is then pushed along the system to the condenser.

The condenser is responsible for the heat exchange, cold air from outside passes over the coil on the condenser, and the heat from the refrigerant is transferred.

Next, the refrigerant passes through the expansion valve, a restriction in the AC system which separates the two areas of high and low pressure.

Once the refrigerant passes through the expansion valve, the change in pressure turns it back into a gas. The refrigerant is cooled down as it travels through the accumulator; it is also purified and dried here too.

Finally, the refrigerant travels through the evaporator core where fans blow air through, blowing it out through the air vents and into the car’s cabin.

The refrigerant continually circles around the AC system, with the heat transfer process happening over and over again while your AC is running.

Ways to Make Your Car AC Colder

A car’s AC is a complex system and is also essential for drivers living in hot climates. A long car journey in the sweltering heat is no fun for anyone and it is on those days when the temperature is soaring, that a fully functioning AC system is an absolute must-have.

If you know your AC system isn’t broken, but it’s just not quite cold enough, there are a few methods you can try to make the air even colder.

1. Set to Coldest Setting

This one is obvious but can sometimes be overlooked. If you want to get the coldest air out of your AC system, make sure it is set to the coldest possible setting.

If you find the coldest setting makes you feel too cold, you can reduce the fan speed. This way you will still have the coldest air available circling around the car, but you won’t have as much blowing at you.

2. Close Unused Vents

If you don’t have any passengers in your car, close the AC vents on the passenger side and in the rear of the car, if your vehicle has them. Leaving just the driver-side vents open will ensure the maximum volume of cold air is directed at you.

To get colder faster, close all vents except the ones you need.

3. Replace the Cabin Filter

Underneath the glove compartment in the majority of cars is the AC cabin filter. This filter is used to keep dirt and debris out of the AC system and, therefore out of the air that is blown back into your vehicle.

However, if you drive on dusty roads often, or there is just a lot of dust and dirt in your car, the cabin filter can become clogged up. A blocked cabin filter will prevent the AC system from working at its best.

The air will not be able to flow freely through a clogged filter and this can prevent the AC from cooling the air as much as you would like. This problem can be easily solved by replacing the cabin filter.

Once the new filter is in place, you should notice that AC air feels cooler again.

4. Recharge the AC Refrigerant

The AC system may be highly pressurized but it is not immune from leaks. If there is a leak in the AC, the refrigerant will not work as effectively as it should and you may notice the air is not blowing out cold enough.

In this situation, a refrigerant recharge may be necessary. You can either recharge the refrigerant yourself at home by using a DIY recharge kit, or you can take it to a professional to get the job done.

Recharging, or refilling the gas in your AC system is not a permanent solution to your problems. If there is a leak in the AC, over time the new refrigerant is just going to leak out too.

If you notice that the refrigerant levels are low in your car, you need to locate the leak and fix the source of the problem.

5. Remove Air Pockets

For the AC system to function correctly, there should not be any pockets of air trapped inside any of the components. A good indicator that trapped air is the issue is a fully functioning condenser and a pressure gauge that is reading as normal.

If these two functions are in place but the AC is still not running cold, air pockets could be the problem. The best way to solve this issue is to remove the air pockets.

You can remove excess air from the AC system by draining out the existing refrigerant and filling it back up with new gas. To avoid creating further air pockets, you may want a professional to refill the refrigerant for you.

6. Repair the Blower Motor

When you can feel lovely cold air coming out of the vent, when you place your hand close to it, but don’t notice it circulating around the cabin, a faulty blower motor may be to blame.

A motor is responsible for activating the blowers and pushing the cool air out through the vents and into your car. When the motor is broken, the cold air will have no momentum and will not blow towards you and cool you down.

Motor replacements are not too expensive and can easily be done by a mechanic.

7. Malfunctioning Compressor

The compressor plays a vital role in your car’s AC system and if it is faulty, the air produced won’t be as cold as it should be. A faulty compressor may give off a burning smell and it is also common to hear a grinding or squealing sound.

If the compressor is damaged, it may work out cheaper to just have the whole part replaced, but repair prices will vary depending on the extent of the damage.

8. Fix Refrigerant Leaks

If your AC is not blowing out cold air, there may be a refrigerant leak somewhere in the system. Leaks do not just resolve themselves and you will need to get this problem repaired as soon as possible.

Your first job will be to locate the leak and depending on where it is, you may be able to repair the part or need to replace it with a new one.

When the AC is not cold enough, always remember that leaks can happen and it is wise to check for this problem. The longer you leave a leak unrepaired, the more refrigerant your car will lose and the less effective the AC system will be.

9. Use an Additive

There are many refrigerant additives available on the market today that are specifically designed to make your AC colder.

These additives are added to the normal AC refrigerant and work to remove built-up oils from the coils in the AC system.

When the coils are clean, the heat exchange process is more effective, therefore, cooling the refrigerant down more and producing the coldest air possible.

Tips to Cool Down Your Car

If you are sure your car’s AC is running as cold as it possibly can, there are a few other methods you can try to reduce the heat inside your car. Here are our top tips for cooling down your car. Keep this advice in mind and you will never have to spend another car journey sweating and melting behind the wheel.

1. Park in the Shade

If you know it is going to be a hot day while you’re in the office for 8 hours, find a parking spot in the shade.

While your car may still heat up during the day, if you have parked in the shade, your vehicle is much less likely to reach unbearably hot temperatures.

If there are no shaded spots, you can buy car windshield covers that work effectively to stop your car from turning into an oven on hot days.

2. Turn Off Recirculation Mode

Often when we start a car, the air recirculation mode is activated. On a hot day, all this will do is blow the already hot air around the car’s cabin.

The air recirculation fans will not cool the air down, you will instead just be sitting in the same hot air and unable to achieve a comfortable temperature.

3. Open the Window

The best way to get warm temperatures down is to bring cold air in from outside. As soon s you get inside the car, open the windows and even the sunroof.

Keep the windows open until the car has cooled down, then close them all again and switch the AC on. The Ac will be more effective and work more quickly when the car is already cool.

4. Go Easy on the Gas Pedal

Your car’s AC system draws power from the car engine, but an engine only has so much power to give.

By going easy on the gas pedal and driving at a smooth pace, the engine is able to keep the AC system working as it should, while simultaneously powering your car.

When you are demanding too much from the engine, the refrigerant in the AC may not be cooled effectively and will blow out hot.

Also, when your foot is all the way down on the gas you can disengage the clutch which controls the AC compressor. The compressor clutch will engage and disengage accordingly to maintain the correct refrigerant pressure.

If you have your foot on the floor and disengage the clutch when it needs to be engaged, this can result in the AC system not performing as it should.

5. Tinted Windows

Tinting your vehicle’s windows is an easy way to keep the sunlight out and the interior temperature down. There are laws on how much you can tint your car’s widows, so it is important to know these before you decide to upgrade.

However, if you live in a hot climate, tinted windows are worth the money.

6. Deactivate Stop-Start

Many modern cars use stop-start technology, this can save on fuel costs and is also thought to be better for the environment. The stop-start feature cuts the engine, which also stops the AC compressor from working.

However, more modern vehicles have tried to combat this issue by using electronically powered AC compressors, but this is still a problem in many cars.

To combat this issue, deactivate the stop-start feature on days when you know you are going to need AC running when you’re stuck in traffic.

FAQs

Why is my car AC not very cold?

The most common reason a car’s AC is not very cold is because of the refrigerant levels.

When there is not enough refrigerant in the system, the AC can not correctly do its job and the refrigerant will not be cooled as it passes through the various components. Refrigerant leaks are common and are often the culprit of warm air coming from the AC.

Does car AC use fuel?

Yes, a car’s AC system does consume fuel. In fact, the AC is one of the worst accessories you can use if you are worried about using up fuel. It has been found that the AC system can cause your fuel consumption to rise by up to 20%.

How cold should my car AC be?

The exact temperature of a car’s AC can vary between models and is also dependent on the refrigerant levels and if all the parts of the AC system are in full working order.

On average the AC system should be blowing out the air around 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. If the air is hotter than this, it could be an indication that there is an issue that needs to be fixed.

How long can I leave the AC running in my car?

You can leave the AC on in your car as long as you like, providing the engine is running and you have plenty of fuel. If you are running low on fuel, avoid using the AC unnecessarily as it increases fuel consumption and may not leave you with enough gas to get home.

Conclusion

The whole point of your car’s AC system is to keep you and your passengers cool. If you notice the Ac is not cold enough to keep you are a comfortable temperature, there are many things you can try.

Unclogging the cabin air filter is a good place to start, then you should check for leaks and damage in the AC system.

There are many ways to make the AC colder, most of these methods involve maintenance and cleaning work to the AC system, particularly the condenser and refrigerant.

When the AC is in top condition and in full working order, parking in the shade, tinting the windows, and opening the windows are all effective ways to cool your car down on a hot day.

You may find other related articles here:

How to Vacuum a Car AC System Without a Pump (Walk through With Steps)

Reasons Your Car AC Compressor Is Not Turning On (SOLUTION)

Car AC Makes Noise When Turned On (Causes and Fixes)