When you hear the word “recharging”, it means replenishing the refrigerant inside the system. When to recharge depends on the make, model, and the amount of care you give to a car. If your car’s A/C is persistently blowing hot air inside the cabin, it’s the first sign that it needs refrigerant. With insufficient refrigerant to absorb heat and cool the cabin, the A/C must work overtime to compensate, which could lead to premature damage to the compressor and other components.
Another sign that your car’s A/C needs recharging is if the compressor clutch fails to engage. When this happens, the system will blow hot air instead of cold. Sometimes the A/C would only blow cold air when accelerating but fail again when stopping, a telltale sign of low refrigerant.
Your best recourse is to bring the vehicle for A/C servicing, but it’s possible to do a DIY A/C recharge using a can of Freon and some connecting hoses. It won’t address why the system lost refrigerant from the onset, though.
If your car’s A/C blows hot air and emits a mildewy odor, has bothersome rattling sounds, produces a weak airflow even at higher fan speeds, or leaks water on the floor, it might need an A/C cleaning service with a refrigerant charge. You can replace the cabin filter and see if the issue persists. If it does, it’s time to visit an A/C repair shop.
