SEAT air conditioning service and recharge from £66

How often does a SEAT's aircon need recharging?

The majority of modern cars have air conditioning fitted as standard as it is vital for making the ride in a car comfortable for passengers.

An air conditioning system works by using refrigerant gas to push air through several components in the aircon system and then into your car.

Whether its freezing cold or boiling hot, it’s your air conditioning which makes driving in such conditions bearable, so it’s important to look after the system!

Surprisingly, over 10% of air-con gas escapes through the system each year. This means that the power of the system drops significantly over time. However, your air conditioning will not be checked during an MOT or service which is why it’s important that you make an effort to have it checked specifically.

Car manufacturers recommend that cars should have their air con recharged (Regassed) every two years.

Even if your car is new it should be something that you have checked as your cars performance could be significantly affected.

This is because the engine will have to work harder to produce cold air if there is an issue with the air conditioning meaning more fuel will be required to make the system work.

If the system has not been recharged in two years, the drop in engine performance will be noticeable.

As soon as you realise a drop in the power of your air con you should take the vehicle in for repair. If there is an unpleasant smell being emitted, this is another sign that the air con needs looking at.

What happens during an aircon regas?

The job of recharging air conditioning is not complex and will not take long.

The mechanic will carry out a leaks check on the air con system before the repair work, to ensure the job can be carried out without causing damage to the car.

As soon as this is complete, the technician will be able to recharge the system.

The mechanic carrying out the work will first remove old refrigerant from your car as well as the current gas and lubricant.

They will then replace it with new gas and lubricants.

The job will also typically include an entire system clean out which is carried out to remove any bacterial build up.

This is often the reason for a strange or unpleasant smell being emitted from the air conditioning which is why it is important to have this job completed every two years.

The whole process should take around 45 minutes as there are no new parts required for install.

The air conditioning in your car should be noticeably improved after a regas if you haven’t had one for over two years.

If you want to ensure your air conditioning stays in tip top condition, make sure to use it regularly as this the compressor will stay lubricated.

Finding a mechanic you can trust to do a good job and charge a fair price, is not always easy, which is why we simplified the process.We work with a network of over 10,000 mechanics and garages across the UK so we can find competitive air conditioning regas deals for you.

• Enter your car registration number
• Give us a few details about your car and your requirements
• We’ll send you a great selection of quotes from mechanics and garages in your area

You can then compare the quotes and read reviews from previous customers to find the best deal in your area, before booking aircon regas online.