A long list of things makes car maintenance expenses, and AC recharge is far down on that list.

You can frequently spend for engine servicing, among other things, but you can use your car for years before it needs recharging.

Nevertheless, when it is time to recharge your car AC, you’ll want to be sure you get it done right, or the entire system could get damaged in a matter of days.

The cost for a car AC recharge range covers both the materials needed for the AC recharge and the labor cost.

How Much Does it Cost to Recharge Car AC?

The average cost for recharging car AC is between $100 to $280. The average car AC recharge service can range from $100 to $280 depending on the make and model your vehicle. Cheaper places like JiffyLube, Midas and Walmart cost around $100, and expensive places like Autozone can cost up to $280.

However, if you drive an old-fashioned, out-of-date car made before 1995, then you’ll have to accept the fact that the inside of your car will never be cool again.

The only other options are permanently parking your old school car in the garage or buying a new car.

But if you’re willing to let go of a little more money, you can still enjoy AC in your old car.

First, keep in mind that you can’t recharge your car’s AC if it’s from 1995 and beyond. This is because air conditioning systems for cars made before 1995 are no longer being produced.

But there is a solution to the problem.

All you need to do is change the car’s entire air conditioning system to a new one. And you can start by learning know how much it costs to recharge your car’s AC.

Where Can I Get My Car Ac Recharged?

There are several places where you can get professional services to recharge your car’s AC.

Below is a list of a few places where you can go if your vehicle’s AC needs a recharge.

Walmart
Firestone
Midas
Jiffy lube
Autozone
Amazon
Express oil change
C3rva
Oil can Henry’s
Valvoline

How Do I Know My Car Air Conditioner Needs Recharging?

When your car’s AC gets low on Freon, it naturally affects the performance of your car’s air conditioning system. It begins to show obvious signs that you need to recharge your car’s AC.

The main reason why you have to recharge your car AC is due to the low levels of Freon.

That is so because other symptoms indicative of a need to recharge can be traced back to low levels of Freon.

3 Signs Your Car AC Needs Recharged

Sign 1. Your car air conditioner starts blowing warm air or room temperature air.

The first indicator that your car’s air conditioning system is low on gas (Freon) is it begins to suddenly blow warm air or room temperature air.

As soon as your car AC begins to do that, you don’t have to wait another day; it needs to be recharged.

Sign 2. The AC clutch doesn’t engage like it is supposed to.

When you turn on your car’s air conditioner, if you pay close attention, you will hear the AC clutch make a clicking sound which is a sign of the clutch engaging.

This is, however, not the case when the air conditioner has low levels of Freon and needs a recharge.

When the latter is the case, you won’t hear the supposed “click,” so you know you need to recharge your vehicle’s AC.

Sign 3. Your car is left with visible refrigerant leaks. In cases like this, you will see the sign of leaks for yourself.

In a liquefied state, the Freon will be on the floor right under the AC compartment

as it is now outside the air conditioner.

But the leak shouldn’t bother you too much; it is not a sign that your vehicle’s AC is busted.

What it simply means is your vehicle’s AC is low on Freon and needs a recharge, and the mechanic handling the recharge will check and seal the leak before recharging it.

How Long Does a Fully Charged AC Recharge Last?

On average, a fully charged AC recharge lasts up to three years. Although, this might not be the case if you live in a place with a considerably hot climate.

In that case, you might have to run your air conditioner almost all the time, unlike you would if you were living in a place with a less hot or cooler climate.

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