Southampton

Southampton is 70 miles south-west of London and 15 miles north-west of Portsmouth. It is the largest city in Hampshire and also in the south-east of England, with an estimated population of 250,000.

Boasting many medieval heritage buildings, Southampton hosts some of the longest surviving stretches of medieval walls in England.

It’s also home to a multitude of museums, including the Tudor House and Southampton Maritime museums. The SeaCity Museum is located in the west wing of the Civic Centre and focuses on the city’s trading history and the famous ocean-going passenger liner, The Titanic.

The Guildhall (currently branded The O2 Guildhall) has played host to a mass of musical talent in its time: Pink Floyd, David Bowie, The Killers, Amy Winehouse and Lostprophets have all played here, as well as the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Southampton Philharmonic Choir.

The most popular cars in Southampton

One of the major players in the growth of the SUV market, the Nissan Qashqai is estimated to be the most popular car in Southampton, according to data provided between 2012 to 2018 by ownership and postcode.

Close on its heels—and in order of popularity—are the Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Tiguan, Ford Fiesta and the Mercedes A-Class.

Vehicle numbers in Southampton

There are approximately 175,000 licensed vehicles in the Southampton area, with some of the most popular models including the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Corsa and the VW Polo.

Fixter garages in Southampton

There are a total of 14 Fixter garages in the Southampton area, all ready and waiting to provide you with a fantastic quote for your car service, MOT and a wide range of vehicle repairs.

Fixter garages service the following postcodes and more, in and around the Southampton area:

• S01: Bargate, Millbrook & Freemantle, Southampton
• SO14: Bevois & Bitterne Park, Southampton
• SO15: Freemantle, Shirley & Redbridge, Southampton
• SO16: Swaythling & Bassett, Southampton
• SO17: Portswood, Southampton
• SO18: Bitterne Park, Southampton

What does an air conditioning regas do?

It’s no longer considered a luxury, so most modern cars come with air con. However, like anything else, it needs regular maintenance. If you’re not getting cold air into your vehicle, regassing is the most likely solution.

A regas is the removal of old refrigerant gas from the system and replacing and recharging it, along with the lubricant and in line with the manufacturer’s instructions, so that the air runs cold again. (By the way, vehicles made from 2017 onwards are legally obliged to use a new type of refrigerant.)

While DIY kits are available, they save you almost nothing compared with getting a specialist to do the job. What’s more, if something goes wrong, you could be left with a pricey bill, or there could be safety issues. (Refrigerant can cause painful freeze burns if it gets on your skin or in your eyes.) Equally, if there are any other problems with the air con system, a professional will be able to put them right.

How often should I need to regas my air conditioner?

Most manufacturers suggest getting the air con serviced every couple of years, although many drivers wait until there’s no cold air coming through before taking action. But it’s really not worth putting it off—as well as creating an uncomfortable travelling environment, poorly working air conditioning makes it harder to demist windows in winter, and may mean the engine has to work harder, so fuel consumption rises. Additionally, pipes in the system could crack, or parts seize up.

The law, vehicle regulations and your MOT

A faulty air conditioner won’t affect your car’s MOT, but it can affect the comfort of you and your passengers. It’s worth keeping your air conditioning running at its optimum performance as the impact it can have on your vehicle’s fuel efficiency could significantly affect the day-to-day cost of your motoring.

What happens when we regas your air conditioning?

• Our efficient and fully qualified mechanics will check for cracks and leaks that could be hindering the air conditioning system’s efficient operation.
• Wherever required, all old refrigerant will be removed from your air conditioning system and replaced with the precise quantity of fresh refrigerant.
• You will also be advised of any other parts that may need to be replaced for the best operation and health of your vehicle.
• Once the refrigerant has been replaced, our mechanics will test it thoroughly to ensure its correct running make any adjustments required for its premium operation.

Symptoms you might need an AC regas

Your air con isn’t as cold as normal

If your AC has stopped working correctly and you notice that the air conditioning in your car isn’t providing the usual levels of cold air as normal, it’s probably time for a regas.

Looking after your air conditioning

It’s true that most general car services don’t cover air conditioning, but any garage should be able to do a straightforward air con service and regas for you at an affordable price. They will probably want to do a pre-service inspection first, and any repairs needed as a result are usually billed for separately.

The inspection should include looking out for any cracks or leaks that could hinder the system’s efficient working.

Try and use the system all year round to keep it running smoothly, and consider an anti-bacterial clean if musty smells are emerging from the vents—your garage or workshop should also offer this. Additionally, change the cabin filter regularly.