Usually, people automatically associate air con with cooling down. However, air con can and should be used in the winter too! It is important to use your air con frequently for the following reasons.

• In the winter, the air con removes moisture from the air and can be used to defog and maintain a clean windscreen, eliminating oiling marks and fingerprints.
• Infrequent use of the air conditioning can lead to a build-up of bacteria, microorganisms, mould and even fungus, which will not only release unpleasant odours, but could also lead to flu like symptoms and headaches. This is known as 'sick car syndrome.'
• Frequently using your air con system can also help maintain the system, as the refrigerant used contains oil that when run throughout the system is able to act as a lubricant. It keeps the seals and hoses moist, and prevents them from drying out, which leads to cracking and can even cause leaks!
• It is essential to ensure that you service your air con system even if it seems as if nothing is wrong: the compressor needs to be lubricated, otherwise it may seize up. The refrigerant gas also needs to be recharged. The filters need to be replaced as they will collect debris and moisture, which could not only greatly affect the efficiency, but may even make it stop working all together!

Got any more questions about using your air con? Or about general car maintenance? The experts at Ancaster Group are always happy to help; get in touch with our friendly team.