Just before track day.

On Friday, 13th August 2010, it was one amazing day for me. At least 3 batteries issues plus a dead alternator came into the shop.

First, the Chevrolet Aveo came in the day before for air con optimization. The battery was dead and replaced (by another workshop) after works on air con. Diagnosed with alternator having charging problem as well. Indeed on the next day, the owner got stranded across the border in JB.

Two more guys came in with dead batteries. Although cars were still able to start but owners did realized that their cars did not start well especially during 1st drive of the day. Batteries changed in the shop and cars started well and good. One alternator is suspected damaged due to almost dead battery. Meanwhile, car is good to start and drive after new battery installed.

4th, a Legacy GT. Dealer installed a new battery for this car's owner. Car was bought 2nd hand for about 1/2 a year. Battery's built-in indicator is leaking and acid was spilling out from the indicator!!!

A leaking battery or almost dead battery will kill your car sooner than you could imagine.

The alternator for the Aveo is $400++... not including labor yet.

Simple maths.

Choose your car wisely.

Yesterday, i just worked on a good friend's car.

As more makes and models I touched, I realized that the design of the vehicle greatly affects the the results of your air conditioning system in your car.

Sadly, some cars are not well built to ensure that you have a worry free air con system...

Partly our weather here in Singapore contributed more bad than good to the already not so effective system...

One way to try is to test drive new car in very hot weather or during hot afternoon, you will know if the aircon is good or no good.

;)

New hoses or not?

The pipes or hoses for L and H port, new from factory carries a hefty price tag each.

If minor leaks are detected, chances are that you could still salvage the situation upon removal. Minor leak repair with minimum corrosion, it could cut your bill almost 40-50% for repair.

What if it is beyond repair?

PRAY!

Genuine parts or repaired parts are not much of a difference if you ask me. If it could be repaired, please repair as it will still serve the purpose well. Unless the joints are badly corroded and not reusable, then you will have to worry.

It does not matter if it is new from factory or repaired hoses, you will have to take good care of it. You may not understand the whole theory behind it but bringing your car to certified personnels to get it serviced or checked, it could save you lots of money.

How does new oil look like?

How long automotive air conditioning oil (PAG OIL) look like?

When fresh from factory, the oil is white and translucent.

Once its lubricating property starts to drop, the oil has started to turn light brown. Light brown oil is bad, trust me. You do not want to spend thousands of dollars to repair your car's air con.

I just had a car that has the air con system neglected throughout the years of driving and modification. Leak is detected along the H and L ports pipes.

Replacement of these two pipes is a simple task but they cost a bomb!!! Two pipes from Subaru factory and with labor will burn a hole in your pocket. Two pipes alone will cost you $1k-1.2k!!! When I first saw the bill, I thought my blood sugar is low...

Friends of mine, repairs for air conditioning system is not cheap. The two pipes could actually buy you a system 2 for your house!!!

Some oils collected from vehicles.

PAG OIL is what I use to service your air con system. PAG OIL is OEM. When new, PAG OIL are translucent and white in color. Once the oil is worn down, it starts to turn brown.

Sometimes you will see yellow dye in the oil from some vehicles. The car owners could have added treatment or leak guard to your system previously. Air con treatment or leak guard has yellow dye. In the event of a leak, it is alot easier to identify the location of the leak.

Manufacturer recommends air conditioning system to be serviced every 40,000km or yearly. This will greatly ensure that your air con compressor stays in good health and last you a long long time.

Neglected system up to 3 years, it is like a time bomb ticking away.

This could cost you expensive repairs and down time.

If you are in doubt about your air con in your car, drop by for a free consultation now. No obligation to engage the service that could be rendered but at least you know what is the condition for your system.

Call me at 9853 7486 or email me at mtshark@gmail.com.

Vehicle Air Con Optimization

I shall carry on updating this blog of mine here in regards to what I am doing now.

I have stepped into the automotive industry with my boss's help and has begun to offer sales of products and also services.

What kind of services?

Ans: AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION FOR VEHICLES

Before I even talk about what optimization of air conditioning system about, let me give you a better idea by talking about something else.

Almost every family in Singapore has air conditioning units installed in their homes.

We all know that if we never engage services to service our air conditioning units, 'aircon' will sooner or later turns NOT COLD, turns smelly, water pipes choked... etc.

If the system is serviced regularly, everyday you will be enjoying cold air in your own home after a hard day at work.

Get the picture yet?

For those who drive, seldom would even think about their air con system in their cars. As long as it is cold, it is fine. So, how do we define 'cold'? What is 'cold' enough? What temperature?

Before I engage myself in this line of service, I used my car (Subaru) to test out the service rendered. I am amazed. For weeks and now months, my car air con is still very cold. Not me alone, my boss's Honda's too. He has lined up his other cars for as well for this form of service.

If you are reading this, I know you are internet savvy and do know how to do search in regards to automotive industry.

On theory, the air temperature directly from the blower CAN be zero oC!!! Due to environment and climate, anything around 5 oC is acceptable with stimulation of on the road driving.

When I first figured out what temperature was I getting from my car, 16 oC. Is that cold enough? NO WAY!!!

An air con compressor unit in the car draws about 15% of power from the alternator and the power comes from the engine of course. Meaning during drive, you lose about 15% power as well when driving with air con on.

The longer the compressor works, the more load the alternator and engine would be having. Thus loss in power and performance. That is why sometimes you have to off air con when you want to have some performance to overtake or speed!!! (I am not recommending people to speed here. Period.)

If your cabin temperature could be achieved in the shortest possible time, your engine will not be working as hard.

You may have to maintain higher rpm when air con compressor is running for a XXX speed and ideal temperature is not hit, the longer the compressor would have to work. More loads on the engine as well.

But.... if you get to optimize your system properly, the air con compressor will take less time to achieve your temperature you want. Less time and less load on engine of course.

Less load on engine also means that you have better power on the drive as well. If your system is optimized properly, you will not have to off your air con system during OVERDRIVE! More horses on the throttle at your expense. Lower rpm at desire cruising speed.

Manufacturers recommend servicing of air conditioning system every 40,000km... err... how come many of us do not know about this. This information is not disclosed or perhaps it is hidden from car owners.

Even cars that just came out from factory face this problem. As long as the vent has cold air, the car is good to go. What is cold? How cold is cold? Such questions surface again.

Getting your system optimize not only helps in saving on wear and tear of your air con compressor, it also help to save the environment as well. I think you do not need to tell how this thing work to save environment.

LESS FUEL BURNT FOR YOUR AIR CON IN CAR!

Personally, I have done two cars. I will update again in regards to the findings and results accordingly soon. Stay tuned!

Calling all Honda Civic owners!

Special quotes for Honda Civic owners! 

Send in your information right now!