Why your A/C needs servicing even when it "works"

A climate system is a closed loop, but in practice it's never fully leak-proof — refrigerant slowly seeps out through seals and hoses over the years in ways you can't see. The result is a gradual drop in cooling power that a driver often doesn't notice until the system stops cooling altogether.

The A/C also has a lesser-known job: in winter, it helps clear a fogged-up windscreen faster by drying the cabin air. If the system is low or weak, that function suffers too.

During a check we measure pressure and assess whether it's an ordinary natural leak or something that needs a repair. It's also a good time to check the cabin filter — a clogged one is a common cause of an unpleasant smell.