Temperature crosses 40°C, car ACs breaking down:6 key tips to keep in mind; avoid common usage mistakes

Even with the AC running, many cars fail to cool properly in extreme heat. At times, it feels like only the fan is running. This leaves passengers frustrated, but drivers say they are helpless. Bhopal cab driver Arvind Saini has stopped taking outstation bookings because of the heat. He says that if the AC breaks down on the way, handling passengers becomes difficult. For now, he is limiting his trips to within the city. In old Bhopal, mechanic Sajid Mohammad says 10-15 vehicles are reaching his workshop every day for AC repairs. According to experts, one of the biggest reasons car ACs fail in summer is improper use. In this report, find out how to maintain a car AC in extreme heat and what precautions to take before using it. Understand with two examples, why are car ACs failing in summer? Case 1: Cooling drops sharply Retired employee Ravindra Srivastava now runs a cab service and takes bookings for Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Recently, he took his vehicle to a service centre to get the AC checked. He said the AC had not completely failed, but cooling had dropped and it was blowing warm air. He said, “Since it was going on a long trip, it was necessary to get the vehicle checked in advance.” During servicing, filters were replaced and AC gas was refilled. Cooling improved after the full service. Case-2: AC Breaking Down Mid-Journey Bhopal resident Bharat recently travelled to Rajgarh. While returning, the AC suddenly stopped working. He said travelling 140 km without AC in temperatures above 40°C was extremely difficult. Later, a garage inspection found that both the compressor and blower motor had failed. Now let’s know what experts say about this MANIT Bhopal professor Ravindra Jilte, an expert in thermal engineering and energy, says there are several reasons why car AC systems struggle in summer. The right way: Use car AC like this According to expert Krishnendra Pandey, these simple steps improve AC performance: Bhopal mechanic Sajid Mohammad says AC-related complaints rise by 40-50% as soon as summer begins. Checklist to Keep Car AC ‘Fit’ How to Keep a Parked Car Cool in Summer? Precautions before long drives Taking care of your health along with the car is also important In summer, looking after your health is just as important as maintaining your car. According to Dr Sunil Hathgel, a sharp difference between AC cabin temperature and outside heat can raise the risk of heat stroke when stepping out suddenly. To stay safe: