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.

Toyota

The Toyota Motor Corporation is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer, established in 1937, over 80 years ago.

How popular is Toyota in the United Kingdom?

Toyota was the first manufacturer to produce more than 10million vehicles a year, and it has continued to do so since 2012. There are currently 1.7million on the roads in the UK—a number that has shown consistent growth since their introduction to the UK market.

High-quality motoring—right across the board

Toyota’s current range features luxury saloons, hatchbacks and SUVs, all of which are receiving the steady design upgrade from what were once sensible and steady looking vehicles, into sleeker looking executive sports lines, capable of turning heads at every junction.

Toyota: Market leaders in all-electric and hybrid motoring

Worldwide, Toyota is the market leader in hybrid electric vehicle sales. It’s introduction of the Prius in 1997, the first commercially mass-produced vehicle of its kind, set them on their way as leaders in the field. The UK is no exception, as there are over 80k Prius models on our roads.

There’s more to Toyota than good economy and sensible motoring

As much as the modern market leans towards family SUV motoring and super efficient hybrid fuel economy, don’t be fooled into thinking Toyota is stuck into a single groove.

For those who want more excitement than economy from their driving experience, Toyota makes a selection of cars with much more clout than their sensible city options.

Grab a Toyota GR Supra and you’ll be propelled from 0–62mph in 4.3 seconds using every ounce of its 335bhp. If you want a car that was built for fun and have a spare £52k to lose, then why not put one on your shopping list? As with other Toyota models, it offers great value for the amount of car you’ll be getting.

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.