Most Portland drivers don't even think about their air conditioner.
Now here's a tip for Portland vehicle owners: Run your air conditioner every so often during Oregon winters. This circulates the lubricant to help keep the seals from drying out.
The air conditioner actually removes some of the moisture in the air. So if you have trouble with fogging on your vehicle windshield during Oregon winters or during a rain storm, running the A/C on the defrost setting should help. Now on some Portland cars you can't run the A/C at the same time as the defroster. Don't ask me why, but I suspect lawyers were involved.
Also, air and water can get into the A/C system. That can reduce the efficiency of the system and also lead to corrosion that causes damage. Portland drivers should periodically purge the system and replace the refrigerant to remove the air and water.
Oregon drivers would be wise to learn the early warning signs of A/C trouble: 1) The air's not as cold as it used to be. 2) It makes unusual noises when the A/C cycles on. Those are signs to get your vehicle into All Around Automotive, Inc. in Portland before the damage gets worse.
By following the recommended service intervals in your vehicle owner's manual, you can help prevent mechanical failure of your air conditioning system. Your A/C system contains some components like the compressor, condenser, dryer, etc. Anything Portland car owners can do to lengthen the life of their A/C is well worth it.
All Around Automotive, Inc.
3434 SE Division St.
Portland, Oregon 97202
(503) 239-0827
www.allaroundautomotive.com