what do you do if your car has no air conditioning

5 Ways to Beat the Heat if Your Car Doesn’t Have Air Conditioning

Full Answer

How can I cool my Car without air conditioning?

To cool yourself in a car without air conditioning, freeze a couple damp rags, drape them over the AC vents in your car, and turn on the fan so it blows cool air. You can also get a cheap, 12-volt fan from your local auto parts store and plug it into the cigarette lighter in your car so you have more air blowing on you.

What to do if your car AC Fan is not working?

All you’ll need is a garden hose and some engine cleaner. Check the cooling fan on your car. If your car’s A/C is electric, then when the A/C is on, the fan should be moving, and if it isn’t, check the cooling fan relay, which is usually mounted near the fan.

How do I know if my car AC is working properly?

With its fan at full blast, a properly functioning AC system should be able to cool the vehicle's air by at least 40 degrees. If you're noticing a lack of cold air coming from the dashboard vents, your air conditioner is probably malfunctioning.

Is it possible to fix my car's air conditioning?

If you've ever sat stranded in an endless traffic jam baking away on a 100-degree summer day without air conditioning, you'll agree that a functional car air conditioning system is essential. Yet unlike many simple repairs, automotive AC systems are often misunderstood and can be costly to fix.

How do you deal with a car without air conditioning?

We've put together some helpful tricks for keeping the summer heat from ruining your commute when the AC is out of commission.Beat the Heat. 1/9. ... Roll 'Em Down. 2/9. ... Park in the Shade. 3/9. ... Crack a Window. 4/9. ... Buy a Cooling Seat Cover. 5/9. ... Bring a Cold Drink. 6/9. ... Grab a Cooling Towel. 7/9. ... Plug in Some Portable Comfort. 8/9.More items...

Can you drive a car without air conditioner?

You need to let a little bit of outside air into the cabin and just by flowing through, it will cool things down for the driver and passengers at least a little bit. In some car models, you can even get away with just running the HVAC system fan to create a much-needed airflow inside the car.

Why do I not have AC in my car?

There are several things that can cause electrical problems for your car's air conditioning. These can include failed switches, a blown fuse, a problem with the control module or something else. Fuses can short out and make the A/C stop working or a loose connection can create an electrical short that is easily fixed.

How do I know if my AC fuse is blown?

Test the load: If you saw a voltage reading during the previous step, run the same test on the “load” side of the fuses. You should again see a reading between 220 and 240. If you see a voltage reading on the “line” side but not the “load” side, it means you have a blown fuse.

Can you add AC to a car?

It's a universal kit for air conditioning only. Vintage Air also has a variety of direct fit kits to add A/C and/or heat to your car in compact units that usually install completely out of sight behind the dash, should that suit your needs.

Is it worth fixing AC compressor in car?

If this is the case, then yes, a compressor replacement is absolutely worth considering. But the likelihood of a compressor breaking down entire while still under warranty is fairly slim. So, in the absence of a warranty coverage, it's time to consider a full AC system upgrade.

How much does a car AC recharge cost?

How much does it cost to recharge the air conditioning in your car? On average, it can cost you anywhere between $150 to $300 if you get it changed professionally. However, if you choose the DIY route, the car AC recharge kit will cost you $40 to 50.

How much does it cost to replace an AC compressor?

Cost Of Replacement Of Home AC Compressor Generally, the cost of a home AC compressor is around $1,200. The cost to replace it ranges between $800 and $2,800. The labor and material make up around 50 percent of the final bill. The cost of its parts ranges from $450 to $1,500.

How much is a compressor for a car?

The average cost to replace a car a/c compressor is around $1,100—your mechanic isn't far off the mark. The cost of parts and labor can vary greatly depending on where you live. On average, the labor cost can run between $160 and $200, with the parts costing between $650 and $840.

Why would AC suddenly stop working?

If your air conditioning unit has stopped working, there are many possible reasons that can explain why. It could be your thermostat, your air filter, a problem with the condenser or compressor, or it may just be time to replace the unit, especially if it's over 10 years old.

Where is the air conditioner fuse located?

The fuse is a wire inside a glass casing, found in the disconnection box connected to your AC. The fuse is a protective measure meant to protect your air conditioner from electrical damage.

How much is an AC fuse?

The expense ranges from $30 to $300 for fuse replacement. On the off chance that you notice that the AC unit has electrical issues, the guilty party could have a broken fuse.

Can a bad AC compressor cause car to overheat?

Can a Bad AC Compressor Cause My Car to Overheat? The compressor itself cannot cause the vehicle to get overheated. However, if the compressor clutch is engaged but the compressor is dragging to function properly, the extra strain on the engine can cause your car to overheat.

What happens if I don't replace my AC compressor in my car?

If all the refrigerant leaks out, it could cause the unit to overheat. More subtle signs of ac compressor failure include reduced air coming from vents; warm air coming from vents; and a unit that is running virtually constantly. All of which will lead to an increased power bill if the compressor is not repaired.

Can you drive with a locked up AC compressor?

Your car is not safe to drive since the air compressor is operated by the same drive belt as the remainder of the engine (serpentine belt). Because the AC compressor has seized, this could cause the belt to lock up other components resulting in major engine damage.

Can you drive with a broken air compressor?

It is most likely OK to operate your vehicle even thought the a/c compressor has failed. However there are a couple things to be aware of. As long as the compressor pulley is rotating smoothly, without wobble or noise, it shouldn't affect belt tension or operation of the other belt-driven accessories.

What happens when you moisten your hair?

It displaces oxygen and if the windows are closed, you can die from choking; if the traffic jam grew to more than an hour, take off your shoes. Heat will flow through your feet and you will feel better; if you moisten your hair, you will also feel better. When moisture goes dry, your head gets cold;

How long does it take for a car to get hot in a traffic jam?

It takes about an hour for the temperature in the cabin of your car to rise up to +60°С while plastic parts and seats will get even warmer.

How to avoid dehydration?

Here are some helpful tips: make sure you have enough pure water, as well as juice, different fruit drinks, mineral water (no alcohol!). Drink often, but little; wear natural fiber clothing. We recommend you to wear light colours (preferably white);

What happens when the weather is hot?

When the weather is hot, the biggest risk is dehydration. When your body lacks water, you risk being exposed to heat stroke — a common disease when a patient starts feeling unwell, his blood pressure becomes unstable, he feels dizzy and faint. Guess, there is no need to explain why this condition can be dangerous.

When to switch on fan in car?

It is better to switch on the fan when the engine starts for the air to circulate through the cabin. It will help you to stay cool; we recommend you to prepare at least a few kilos (though twice as much will be better) of ice and put it on a pallet on the floor of your car. Ice will slowly melt.

Can you cancel a car trip without air conditioning?

First of all, do not cancel your trip. Air conditioning may get broken in the middle of nowhere. You never know. Moreover, sometimes you cannot repair it as quickly as possible. The following recommendations will help you to arrange a car trip even without air conditioning. The risk of hitting a traffic jam is always high.

Can you put dry ice on a car?

Ice will slowly melt. However, the temperature in the cabin will be lower than usual. Do not use dry ice. It displaces oxygen and if the windows are closed, you can die from choking;

Why Did My AC Break in the First Place?

The AC system is sealed at the factory with a precise amount of refrigerant, known as a "charge." The required charge is under pressure at all times, so if there's a refrigerant leak, it will escape the system. Once the refrigerant, whether R134a, the newer R1234yf, or even R12 (a.k.a. Freon, found in older cars) has escaped, your car air conditioner won't be able to cool the air unless you get an AC recharge or repair. Often, the age of the AC system contributes to leaks. Even if you stay on top of routine maintenance, older cars are more likely to suffer from leaks due to their long exposure to heat, vibration, and general wear and tear.

How Much is This Going to Cost Me?

First of all, avoid the temptation to perform your own AC service, even if your car is no longer under warranty. There are environmental regulations that must be followed, and specialized equipment is required to service an air conditioner correctly. The DIY recharge kits found at auto parts stores may help in the short term, but improper service could cause further damage to the system or mask more serious AC problems, leading to a more expensive car AC repair down the road. You're better off having a trusted mechanic or even a certified technician perform the work on the air cooling system.

What is a compressor in a car?

Older cars might also have issues with the compressor, which is essentially the pump that pressurizes the refrigerant and forces it from a gas to a liquid state. The more miles you have on your car, the more wear and tear the compressor's components have experienced.

How cold should my car air conditioner be?

With its fan at full blast, a properly functioning AC system should be able to cool the air in your car at least 40 degrees. If you’re noticing a lack of cold air coming from the dashboard vents, your air conditioner is probably malfunctioning. In a broken system, the airflow may fluctuate from hot air to warm air to cool air before becoming hot ...

Why do older cars leak?

Even if you stay on top of routine maintenance, older cars are more likely to suffer from leaks due to their long exposure to heat, vibration, and general wear and tear. Older cars might also have issues with the compressor. The more miles you have on your car, the more wear and tear the compressor’s components have experienced.

How to get a fair price on car AC repair?

The best advice you can follow to ensure that you're getting a fair price on a car air conditioning repair is to comparison shop —always get several estimates. The AC repair market is competitive in most areas of the country, and the effort of shopping around can be pay off by leading to a smaller bill.

Why does my car's AC system leak?

At its most basic level, your car's AC system works by circulating liquid refrigerant, and it's possible for the system to leak. If your car windshield is inexplicably fogging up, or you're finding mysterious damp or even wet spots on the floor, the AC system could be the culprit. Water accumulating in your car will eventually result in mildew if left unaddressed, and could cause extensive damage as well.

How to cool down a car without AC?

To cool yourself in a car without air conditioning, freeze a couple damp rags, drape them over the AC vents in your car, and turn on the fan so it blows cool air. You can also get a cheap, 12-volt fan from your local auto parts store and plug it into the cigarette lighter in your car so you have more air blowing on you. If you're in a hurry, grab a cold water bottle or rag and put it on the back of your neck, under your knees, or on your wrist to quickly cool your body off while you're driving. To learn how to park your car and roll down your windows so it stays the coolest, scroll down!

How to keep air out of car vents?

If there's air coming out of your AC vent, even if it's warm, cool it down with a damp washcloth. Use clothespins or small clamps to secure the rag to the top of the vent.

How to regulate temperature?

1. Drink a cold beverage to stay hydrated. When your body is properly hydrated, it regulates its temperature much more efficiently. Sip on cool water or another cold drink like iced coffee or tea. Drink frequently throughout the day, aiming for at least 8 8 oz (230 g) glasses of water per day.

What to bring for longer car rides?

For longer car rides, bring back-up ice in an insulated cooler.

How to keep car cabin cooler?

Park with the windows down 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) if you're in a safe area. This allows the hot air to escape, keeping the whole cabin cooler. Only leave your windows cracked if your car is parked somewhere where the risk of theft is low. Use common sense when deciding whether or not to leave them open.

How to cool off a car while driving?

Plug a fan into the cigarette lighter if you want to increase airflow. Buy an inexpensive 12-volt fan from an auto parts store or online retailer. Clip it on the sun visor or rearview mirror, or stand it on the dashboard. Switch this on while you're driving to help circulate the air and cool you off.

How to get more air in car?

If you have a fan-operated fresh air vent, open it and turn on the fan. Then open a rear window enough to draw a draft through your automobile. Opening the car's sunroof or back window will bring in even more fresh air.

Roll down all the windows before entering the car

Rolling down your car windows to allow trapped heat escape before entering the car should be a culture, especially during summertime.

Hot air escape trick

You can try this method if you’re not cool with rolling down your windows before entering your car. This is like the first method, but it takes less time. Here’s how it works. First, start your engine, wind down the windows, open the floor air vents and switch the air to max settings.

Drive with wet hair

Before commuting on a hot afternoon journey without a car AC, bath or wet your hair. If you’re like my hairy wife with long hair, tackle the hair to avoid soaking your clothes and the car seat.

Get some ice beverages

It’s okay to feel hot at some point. Ice beverages will refresh your body and make you feel relaxed even when you feel warm inside the car. You can get ice packs. If that’s your thing, see the next option.

Make ice packs with water bottles

Get a cooler with you and put ice packs, water bottles, soft drinks, and wet hand towels. You can place the towel on your chest or at the back of your neck whenever you feel hot. The beauty is that you have cold drinks to relax with.

Park under a shade

By this, it could be under a shaded garage or a tree. Always be thoughtful in your daily life. If you don’t have a garage at home or no free shaded parking space at work, look for a shaded parking slot and pay a few bucks.

Open the windows while driving

Occasionally, I prefer to switch off my air conditioning system and open my windows. Indeed, this is an excellent DIY air conditioning for cars but knowing when to roll down your windows is even better.

How to cool down a car?

Keep a cooler with ice water and a hand towel in the car. A slightly damp towel on the back of your neck (or even your head, if you’re not worried about your ‘do) can work cooling wonders. A spray bottle with cold water works great, too.

How cool is an ice breeze air conditioner?

Icy Breeze Portable Air Conditioner provides environmentally-friendly air that’s up to 35 degrees cooler than the real air temperature. They actually market the system as compared to automobile air conditioners—it’s the perfect swap!

How to get your A/C pumping again?

If it’s clogged, cleaning it might get your A/C pumping again. All you’ll need is a garden hose and some engine cleaner. Check the cooling fan on your car. If your car’s A/C is electric, then when the A/C is on, the fan should be moving, and if it isn’t, check the cooling fan relay, which is usually mounted near the fan.

What is a 12 volt fan?

Portable 12-volt fan, for the visor or dash, plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter. But note, some states don’t allow fans on dashboards, so be sure to check ahead of time.

How much heat does tinting a car reflect?

Window tint reflects up to 78% of the sun’s heat, helping ensure that your car never gets too hot in the first place.

Do you rev a car fan?

If your car uses a mechanical fan, it should rev when the engine does (you’ll have to keep the hood open and have a partner do the revving while you look). If not, you’ll need to have it repaired. Make sure the compressor belt is turning with the engine, and when the A/C is on, the center part of the compressor should turn with the belt.

Can you leave a car unattended in the summer?

Hot Car Safety Tips: This summer, remember that parked cars can quickly become dangerous for vulnerable passengers (like children, the elderly, and pets)—never leave them unattended in a vehicle on a summer day, even if it’s not sweltering, and even if it’s just for a minute.

1. Portable AC

Portable air conditioners made by companies such as LG, Icy Breeze, and Honeywell perform just as well, if not better than in-built car AC.

2. Auto cooling portable fan

Air circulation through a portable fan is an excellent approach to minimize heat in a vehicle that lacks built-in AC.

3. Cooling car seat cover

If you’re going to be doing a lot of driving without air conditioning during the summer, it’s worth investing in a decent cooling seat cover.

4. Cooling vest

A cooling vest is exactly what it sounds like: a vest packed with cooling chemicals that spreads coolness throughout your body.

6. Driving with damp hair

Take a shower or just pour some water over your head before hitting the road.

7. Keeping Freeze water bottles and ice packs

Keep a few chilled water bottles in your cooler (along with a few wet hand towels) to rest against your chest or the back of your neck.

8. Bringing icy cold drinks with you

When you’re feeling a bit too heated in the automobile, ice-cold beverages are quite pleasant.

Who Should You Trust to Fix Your Car AC When It Stops Blowing Air From the Vents?

But generally speaking, you’re going to want to take your car to an experienced car AC technician to have them take a look at your car anytime you have problems with the AC system.

Do You Have to Fix a Car AC Not Blowing Air From the Vents?

If you have a car AC not blowing air from the vents, it’s not necessarily a problem that you have to fix right away. You’re welcome to continue driving around in your car without a fully functioning AC system. But you should know that you’re probably not going to be all that comfortable doing it. Your car is going to get to be unbearably warm on hot days. This could put your health at risk if you’re not careful.

How to tell if car AC is blowing air?

How to Tell When a Car AC Is Not Blowing Air From the Vents. When your car AC is not blowing air from the vents, it’s going to be pretty easy for you to tell that it’s happening. When you turn your car’s air conditioner on, you’re not going to be able to feel much air coming through the vents in your car. You won’t even feel warm air coming ...

Why does my car AC blow warm air?

If you turn the air conditioner on in your car and warm air starts coming out of your vents, there is a good chance that it’s being caused by a refrigerant leak. You can fix this problem right up in most cases by locating the leak, fixing it, and making sure your car has enough refrigerant in it. But what should you do if your car AC is not blowing ...

How much does it cost to replace a blower motor?

On average, people pay somewhere between $350 and $400 to replace bad blower motors in most cases. It’s among the most expensive repairs you could face when your car AC is not blowing air from the vents. 4. Damaged Blower Resistor. When you have the AC turned on in your car, you can control how cold that it gets.

Why do car AC relays work?

One of these relays is used to help power up your ventilation system, and it could possibly be to blame if your car AC is not blowing air from the vents.

What is the purpose of the air conditioning belts in a car?

The air conditioning system in a car contains a series of hoses and belts that are used to keep it up and running. As you might imagine, there are times when these hoses and belts will begin to show signs of wear and tear. In some cases, these hoses and belts might even break on you, resulting in a leak in your AC system or stopping your AC system from working as intended.

Why Isn’t the Car Heater Blowing Hot Air?from familyhandyman.com

Here are the most common reasons why your car heater isn’t blowing hot air.

Why is there no heat in my car?from blog.1aauto.com

4 Causes for No Heat in Your Car. 1. Low Coolant Level and/or Antifreeze in Bad Condition. The engine heats up as it runs and coolant, also known as antifreeze, circulates throughout the engine to cool it. The hot coolant travels to the heater core, where the blower motor pushes the hot air into the cabin.

What is the purpose of thermostat in engine?from blog.1aauto.com

The thermostat helps the engine reach and maintain engine operating temperature. As the coolant is reaching operating temperature, the thermostat opens up and lets the coolant flow through the rest of the system.

What is a blend door actuator?from blog.1aauto.com

The HVAC controls how much heat or air will enter the cabin. The blend door actuator directs air through the heater core to send warm air into the cabin or doesn’t, which lets cool airflow into the cabin depending on the setting. If the blend door actuator isn’t working, there could be an internal problem with the part or there could be an electrical issue with the part.

What to do if playback doesn't begin?from blog.1aauto.com

If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.

Where is the heater core located?from blog.1aauto.com

The heater core is located inside the passenger compartment behind the passenger side dash.

Can coolant cause overheating?from blog.1aauto.com

Coolant in good condition has no contaminants. If the coolant breaks down , that can change the freeze and boiling point of the chemical. This can cause overheating or engine freeze.