Jacksonville Used Cars - A is for Air Conditioning

By: Steve & Beth Kicklighter

Week Two of Our Ten Week Series on Buying a pre-owned vehicle.

Today we would like to talk about the second of ten things we look for when purchasing your next pre-owned vehicle.  These ten items are not in any particular order of importance, but all things being equal, we feel these will help insure value when shopping for a car and could prevent you from making a horrible mistake.

Week Two: Air Conditioning

Living in Florida, one of the most important features a customer looks for is air conditioning. Temperatures can reach upwards of 100 degrees Fahrenheit in June, July, and August.  It isn’t unusual for temperatures to stay at or near the ninety degree mark in September as well.  Therefore A/C is just as important to us as it is to our customers.  It can also be one of the most expensive items in a vehicle to repair or replace. 

The problem is that it is extremely difficult for the average person to do any in depth inspection of a vehicle’s air conditioning system other than turning it on in order to see how cold the air is that comes out of the vents.   Make sure the air is cold, not merely cool.  That tells you that the compressor is working, which could be a major repair cost.  It also lets you know that the system is fully charged. Now it doesn’t mean that leaks don’t currently exist in the system and the seller of the vehicle has just refilled a leaky system or compressor with Freon.  Therefore, give the car time to warm up to see if air coming out of the vent warms up or stays cold. The engine has to be warm for the coolant to take effect. 

If you are purchasing your vehicle from a reputable dealer who is including a 30+ day warranty that would cover the compressor etc., this should give you ample time to discover a leaky air conditioning system, should it suddenly get warmer during that time period. Earlier in the month I expressed the importance of having a warranty with a used vehicle (Kicklighter Auto Sales Warranty Blog).

Whenever possible have your vehicle inspected prior to purchase by a certified mechanic. Nobody wants to buy a used car in the summer and have the air conditioning go out. 

Steve and Beth Kicklighter own and operate Kicklighter Auto Sales in Jacksonville, Florida.  To see more helpful hints, including videos, go to http://jacksonville-used-cars.com