If you own a Mercedes, then you know what it means to drive in true luxury. For decades, Mercedes-Benz has been the gold standard of high-end vehicles, and the drivers who invest in Mercedes are never disappointed. Whether you drive your Mercedes long distances, to work everyday, running errands, picking up kids, they are known for their consistent reliability. Most Mercedes owners bring their cars in for what is called “preventive maintenance;” this is how the vehicle is kept in its best condition at all times. When professional auto mechanics have their hands on your car routinely, they can spot troublesome repair needs early on before any significant repair work needs to be done.
Preventive maintenance is highly important
Another benefit of preventive maintenance is that in the harsher months of summer, when the weather is extremely hot, new problems can arise with your Mercedes, or any vehicle for that matter. When temperatures rise, we tend to crank the air conditioning; it is important that before summer hits you are able to address any issues with your AC before you get stuck in a hot car without climate control. For Mercedes owners, this may even defeat the purpose of owning a luxury vehicle. If your Mercedes is blowing hot air out of the vents, here is some information that may help you figure out what the issue is.
Air compressor could be hitting a wall
There are several reasons why your AC might be blowing hot air. Firstly, your air compressor could be hitting a wall. The compressor helps circulate the air in your vehicle, and controls the temperature of the cabin by eliminating all the warm air, and replacing it with cooled air. Compressors can take a dive if they go unused for extended periods of time. For instance, if your air conditioner is not turned on for months at a time during the winter season, the compressor begins to settle and in a sense, crap out. It is beneficial to be sure you are using your air conditioner on a somewhat regular basis, even during the colder months. To get around this issue, you can turn on the defroster, which automatically uses the AC component. Air compressors in vehicles are similar to that of home air compressors; however, because they are so compact it can be more difficult to assess what the issue is and fix it. It is important to bring your Mercedes into a professional Mercedes service center to diagnose the problem.
Coolant leak may be the issue
Another issue that might be happening when your AC is blowing hot air is a refrigerant or coolant leak. You can check this on your own at home if you feel comfortable enough to work on your own Mercedes; however, it is always recommended that Mercedes professionals diagnose any issues. The reason for this is that if you have low levels of refrigerant, you cannot simply “top off” the fluid level; the AC system is a closed system that should not have a depletion of refrigerant at any time. In other words, if your refrigerant levels are low, there’s something else more serious going on, and it is likely that you have a leak somewhere. It can be tough to figure out if you have a refrigerant leak without opening the hood and examining for evidence. Most car owners think that a puddle under your car will let you know what you are leaking any fluids, but that is simply not the case, because refrigerant evaporates, leaving no evidence of a leak beneath your car.
Find an automotive expert
Lastly, you may have an issue with the complex electrical wiring of your AC unit. Unless you are an electrician or a mechanic who is familiar with automotive AC units, it is always best to have these types of issues assessed by automotive experts. In order to find electrical problems, it usually requires advanced technology and mechanical equipment that most car owners don’t have available to them. So, if you think that your Mercedes’s air conditioning is failing due to an electrical issue, you will most certainly want to have professionals check it out. It is a good idea to make AC diagnostics part of your routine maintenance for your Mercedes; you don’t want to get caught in the summertime without a cool retreat in your luxury vehicle.