By: Larry J. Reaves
Most of us have become accustomed to the comfort provided by our vehicles' heating and air conditioning system.
During the cold months, warm air keeps the chill at bay. During the warmer months, the A/C produces cool air to make
the driving experience more comfortable.
Like most auto parts and systems, the heater and air conditioner work without our thinking about them. Unfortunately,
they do suffer wear and tear. They can break down for a variety of reasons, and fail to perform their respective jobs.
The technology used to design your vehicle's heater and A/C has evolved over the last several decades. But problems
can still occur. In this article, you'll discover how the various components work together to ensure your drive is as
comfortable as possible. We'll then take a look at a few issues you may experience down the road.
The Job Of The Compressor
Attached to the side of your car's engine is a component called the compressor. It is a pump that is responsible for
compressing refrigerant (e.g. R-134a, Freon, etc.) and sending it to another component called the condenser
(described below). In order to fulfill this responsibility, the compressor intakes low-pressure gas from a part called the
evaporator. The compressor pressurizes the gas - heating it in the process - before sending it through the system.
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