Air conditioning might be the most important invention of the 20th century, at least for anyone who drives to work in a hot, steamy American summer. Unfortunately, like most technologies, the air conditioning unit in your car is an imperfect creation. Compressors, the the most important moving part in an air conditioning system, have improved a lot over the last 50 years, but you can still manage to destroy them if you aren't careful. There are three ways to ruin your air conditioning system through poor maintenance practices.

Don't Change Your Air Filter

Your compressor job is to draw fresh air in from the outside, cool it and pump it into your car. That requires pulling air in through your vehicle's filter system. Over weeks of driving, your filter will catch an alarming amount of debris--bits of leaves, particles of dust and smog and munched up insect parts. If your filter becomes clogged and oversaturated, your compressor will have to work harder and harder to draw in a sufficient amount of air. Eventually, this extra effort will burn out the compressor the same way breathing through a straw while running will burn out your lungs. Fortunately, this problem is easy to avoid. Your local oil change shop can swap in a new air filter once a year for about $25.

Add Too Much Refrigerant

Refrigerant is a toxic mix of chemicals engineered to help cool down air as it passes through the compressor. The first car air conditioning systems required massive amounts of coolant--often 80 ounces or more. Modern systems are much more efficient, and typically require as little as 12 ounces. Some car owners' first instinct when faced with a faulty air conditioner unit is to add more coolant, but that's a very bad move. Adding excess refrigerant, or "overcharging" the system, will cause pressure to build up in the compressor and either trigger an automatic shutoff or a small explosion. Either way, you're in for an expensive fix. Solve this problem by having a professional check your refrigerant levels and determine if you need to recharge the system.

Ignore Warning Signs

Last but not least, you can destroy your compressor by ignoring warning signs. A struggling compressor will reveal itself long before it kicks the bucket. If your air conditioning isn't working as well as it used to, if it turns off intermittently, make strange noises when turning on or off, or leaks water, get to a repair shop right away. There might be an easy fix, like replacing the air filter, that will save the compressor's life and your pocketbook.

If you're in a murderous mood and you want to off your compressor, there are plenty of ways to do it. If you're looking to save your air conditioner and your money, however, avoid these three common mistakes. For more information, contact a local auto parts retailer, like Regional Truck Equipment.

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