As soon as May turns the corner, June is waiting alongside her friend summer, and she always brings the heat.
During the summertime, a few cities across regions of the Southwest, Southeast, and West can reach temperatures in the high 90s consistently and even surpass the 100-degree mark, sometimes lingering for days.
Not only are humans affected by scorching heat, but the air conditioning unit under a vehicle’s hood can be put to the test as well, said Joe Jurosek, manager at Blagg Tire & Auto Service in Grapevine, Texas. Working 35 years in the auto repair industry, he said an influx of cars, trucks, and SUVs in need of AC repair keeps mechanics at the corner shop on Main Street busy during the summer.
“You really don’t know if the AC is working properly until you put it under stress, and you won’t know until it gets hot outside,” Jurosek explained, applying the analogy of a person with a weak heart being active in extreme heat.
“It’s like getting up to mow the lawn in 90-degree weather. When you are sitting down, you do not notice it, but when you get up to mow, you get worn out,” he continued. “An AC unit can be the same way.”
Excessive heat can lead to an air conditioner compressor getting damaged from having to work harder, which leads to reduced cooling output into the vehicle’s cabin. A faulty compressor is the usual culprit when the air conditioner is not operating, said Jurosek.
Prior to summer’s arrival, he recommends car owners visit an auto shop for an oil change and request a mechanic perform an air conditioning checkup. In addition, the evaluation should include inspecting antifreeze levels, radiator, condenser, cooling fan, water pump, cabin filter and vents to ensure they work properly, said Jurosek.
After pressing or twisting the air conditioner button, drivers should pay close attention to what they hear. Any odd noises such as a knocking sound or unsteady, hesitant air flow blowing from the vents should be mentioned to the mechanic.
Some air conditioner repairs are an easy fix with a minor bill. Cold air might not blow because it is low on refrigerant, Jurosek said, adding the cost for major AC repairs can rise to $2,500. “There’s nothing cheap about it,” he said.
Taking a joy ride on a 70-degree day can feel amazing, but sweltering heat can put drivers in a miserable state of mind. Last thing anyone needs is to catch a case over road rage or being embarrassed after arriving at your destination soaked in sweat.
The compressor is the heartbeat of the air conditioning system, responsible for compressing refrigerant gas, increasing its pressure and temperature, and circulating it to enable cooling.
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According to the AccuWeather website, specializing in weather warnings and data, 10 of the hottest cities in the U.S. during the summertime include:
- Phoenix, AZ
- Las Vegas, NV
- Tucson, AZ
- Riverside, CA
- San Antonio, TX
- Miami, FL
- Houston, TX
- Fresno, CA
- Dallas, TX
- Orlando, FL
