Air conditioning service / recharge

[abcya]

Any thoughts on when the air conditioning should be recharged / serviced? I don't think the OPC has ever offered it, though a quick check of the East London website suggests it's offered for £160. I guess there are cheaper options, but a look at the Halfords website suggests they wouldn't charge much less?

[davewf]

It only needs a recharge if it's not working. Best to leave it on all year round so its seals are well lubricated. Surest way to have issues with Air Con is to switch it off in winter.

My OPC doesn't offer a service unless asked, there used to be a trend for garages offering to service it with an aerosol to clean air side but that seems to have gone out of fashion.

[Nuclear Nick]

^^^^ Spot on Dave re use of aircon. Our Yeti is over nine years old and has never had the aircon serviced. It’s permanently on and it still works fine.

[Paul]

Yup, it only needs topping up / recharging if you’ve got a leak. (When did last service your fridge?)

[f4lse.4l4rm]

The chance of having the air conditioning serviced during a vehicle's lifetime is very high, but it typically won't happen before the 100,000-mile mark. In fact, a central air conditioner should never need refrigerant added unless there's a refrigerant leak.

[JBA]

Whilst booked in for a recall campaign, just been informed by OPC that along with its first major service @ £863; cleaning of sunroof bulk head drains @ £207, my 14k miles GTS needs an air con service with anti bacterial solution @ £207!

Seems a bit unnecessary to me as there is no problem with the air con and it's always on so seals etc should be fine.

Can I or should I refuse it. And if yes will it effect my extended warranty?

[Paul]

Not necessary and won’t affect the warranty.

[JBA]

Not necessary and won’t affect the warranty.

Good to know. Thanks Paul.

[Rab J]

The seals issues that are often talked about when air con gets discussed was an issue from thirty or forty years ago. For years now the seals are made from a much more durable material and wont dry out and leak if not used for a while.

[On-Track]

Whilst booked in for a recall campaign, just been informed by OPC that along with its first major service @ £863; cleaning of sunroof bulk head drains @ £207, my 14k miles GTS needs an air con service with anti bacterial solution @ £207!

Seems a bit unnecessary to me as there is no problem with the air con and it's always on so seals etc should be fine.

Can I or should I refuse it. And if yes will it effect my extended warranty?

The only time I ever had problems with air con was with my Macan SD just after the OPC had serviced it. The system displayed all the symptoms of being low on refrigerant. The OPC recharged it FOC and it never gave trouble again. I'd go along with the forum members who recommend leaving it alone.