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Driving is about more than just getting from A to B. You want to enjoy your ride in comfort, feeling cool and refreshed. Most of the time, this takes a well-serviced air conditioner. Here are some warning signs that you need air conditioning maintenance at your local Honda dealership. more Weak Airflow into Your Cabin If you switch on the AC but no air is blowing from the vents, it's quite likely that the blower is malfunctioning. If the fan itself isn't damaged or stuck, the fault might lie with the blower motor or resistor. A bad relay or blown fuse could also have interrupted the blower's power. A mechanical problem with the belts and hoses might also stop the air from flowing. Only Warm Air From the Vents Refrigerant needs to flow smoothly through an AC system for the cooling process to work. If refrigerant leaks, the air will stay warm, with nothing to cool it down. Barring a leak, a problem with the thermostat could also keep your cabin air warm. Alternatively, a malfunctioning condenser or clutch switch might be to blame. Banging, Rattling, or Squeaking Sounds Your AC should run quietly; any odd noises should prompt repairs. Banging or rattling sounds may mean a leaf or stone has gotten caught inside the blower. Clutch failure might also produce a rattling noise. Squeaking could stem from a loose fan belt or worn-out compressor bearings. Strong Smells of Mold or Mildew A natural byproduct of suddenly cooling air is moisture, which tends to gather inside air conditioners. This moisture creates a potential breeding ground for bacteria and mold, especially if your AC is wet and then sits unused for weeks or months, as often occurs during winter. A buildup of mildew would give you a noxious blast of moldy air when you turn the AC on again. It's advisable to switch on your AC at maximum power and coldness once per week, which effectively gets rid of moisture and prevents mold. Water Leaking Under Your Dashboard Your air-con has a drain line that allows condensation to run out of your car. However, if this drain line gets clogged up with mold or debris, the trapped moisture could drip inside your cabin instead. This will usually be under the dashboard. Book Yearly Air Conditioning Maintenance at Your Honda Dealership As with any important car part, along with responding to signs of a fault, you should have your AC periodically checked by a professional. Once a year is typically enough to keep a car's AC in great shape. Visit Coeur d'Alene Honda in Coeur d'Alene, ID, today to get your AC running perfectly once more. We've been helping our customers stay cool and comfy on the road since 1968.

As your Honda dealership, we provide a complete range of services to keep your Honda in great shape. Parts will inevitably wear out or fail, potentially causing additional damage if not repaired. We'd like you to know a few signs you need to visit us for Honda maintenance. more Thudding Noises If you hear thudding noises when driving, this could mean one or both of your engine mounts are damaged. The engine mounts are made from tough rubber and are filled with liquid. The mounts anchor your engine securely to the frame, and their liquid filling helps absorb vibrations from the surface that could damage the engine. They also muzzle the engine vibrations caused by combustion and the movement of countless engine components. In time, the rubber mounts can crack, and the liquid will seep out. If this happens, your engine will move up and down when driving, causing a thudding noise as it hits the frame on the way down. The engine can't tear loose from the damaged mounts, but it will suffer unnecessary wear and tear due to the constant movement. We'll examine the mounts and replace them if they're damaged. Rattling From the Converter The catalytic converter is connected to the exhaust system and converts dangerous, toxic engine gases into harmless gases and water. This reduces pollution when the newly converted gases leave the tailpipe. The converter is a relatively tough component, only requiring replacement after approximately eight years. The converter uses crushing pressure, intense heat, and chemical reactions to convert the gases. If your converter is failing, it can overheat. The converter's interior has a honeycomb structure to provide the largest possible surface area for conversion. Excessive heat can crack the honeycomb, and pieces will break off and rattle inside the converter as you drive. We can't repair this damage, but we can replace the converter to fix the problem. Hard Brake Pedal When you push on the brake pedal, you feel resistance, which grows as you exert more pressure. The resistance is normal and is caused by pressurized brake fluid. If you hit the brakes and the pedal barely moves, the excessive resistance is caused by the failure of a braking component called the brake pedal booster. The booster is located behind the brake pedal and uses a vacuum system to magnify the force you exert 10x. This enables you to apply the brakes without excessive effort. If the booster is damaged, usually due to a leak in the vacuum system, braking will become slower and more tiring due to the extra effort you must exert. We'll examine the booster and repair or replace it to fix this issue. If your Honda isn't working as well as it should, contact us today at Coeur d'Alene Honda in Coeur d'Alene, ID.