Car heat wave warning for anyone who doesn't use air con in winter

North Wales Live

11-06-2025

With hot weather on the way, many drivers could be in for an unpleasant surprise, according to car experts. A third of drivers have no idea there is a 45-minute service they should be getting done to their cars regularly - especially before a heat wave.
Experts at FixMyCar found that many drivers are confused about how their air con works and most car services don't include a regas by default. Matt Wrankmore, Head of Garage Network at FixMyCar explains that a quick 45 minute garage visit can take your air conditioning from mild to ice cold.
He said: 'Many drivers expect their car's air conditioning to just work when they need it to. However, the air conditioning system uses refrigerant gas and a compressor to cool the air in the cabin. Few people realise that over 10% of refrigerant gas escapes naturally every year, which means the cooling system's power drops significantly over time.
"This is where the need for an air con regas comes in. Having the system 'regassed', essentially refilling the refrigerant gas, will have an instant effect on your car's air conditioning and will get you back to pleasantly cool journeys on our few scorching hot days this summer.'
Car interiors are excellent at trapping and storing heat, making uncomfortable places if you don't have a functioning cooling system particularly if you're unaware of what air conditioning requires.
The site found that 28% of drivers didn't know that the air conditioning system in their car needed to be regassed in order to stay cold. A further 1 in 10 (9.7%) drivers assumed it would be done as part of a Full Service.
Many car services don't include an air con regas so you'll need to book it separately. According to data from FixMyCar, an Air Con Regas costs £72.64 on average.
Most manufacturers recommend getting your air conditioning system regassed every two years to ensure it's always at an optimal cold temperature. According to the poll, almost a third of drivers are unsure when they last had an air con regas.
Matt added: 'Another little-known fact is that a lack of use of your air conditioning could also exacerbate the problem. A car's air conditioning system has an oil in it that lubricates the seals and compressor to keep it functioning smoothly when in use. However not using the air conditioning frequently can cause the seals and compressor to harden or shrink which can then cause damage that results in larger refrigerant leaks down the line.
"This is a particular problem for Brits. As we only get a few really hot days a year many of us don't use our air conditioning as often as we should. So, my best advice to drivers who want to maintain their cooling system better is to turn on your air conditioning regularly, even in winter – as crazy as that sounds!'