As motorists look ahead to a winter that could be the coldest and harshest in years, motorists may think MB&G has gone mad, but it has experienced first hand that by simply switching on your air conditioning system for a few hours a week in the warm summer months is not enough to keep it functioning healthily all year round and could cause the system to stop working altogether.

Using the air conditioning regularly over the winter months keeps the system charged and working to full capacity, but if left unused for six months, could reduce capacity by up to 30%. This means it becomes less effective, and makes it work harder putting added strain on the engine, while also using more fuel.

Motorists may not be aware, but the air conditioning or climate control system is not only used to keep the car cool in the summer, but to keep the car warm in winter as well. It keeps a vehicle’s windscreen clear and de-misted, by creating dry warm air.

With some air conditioning systems on modern day cars costing up to £1,000 to replace, MB&G is urging drivers to switch their system on for a couple of hours each week to avoid these costly maintenance bills.

‘At MB&G we see many claiming on faulty air conditioning systems. These systems need charging up on a regular basis to ensure they are working to their maximum capabilities,’ explained Allan Simpson, MB&G’s claims manager.

Virtually all cars boast some form of air conditioning as standard equipment these days, so the problem is relevant to most drivers, and is needlessly costing UK motorists millions of pounds in unnecessary maintenance costs.

‘If you are buying a used car it is also worth making sure that the air conditioning system is in good working order. Simply get into the car, close all windows and the sunroof and switch the system onto full or in the case of modern day climate control system to its lowest temperature setting.

‘Within two to three minutes the system should be blowing out very cold air and within five minutes the entire car interior should be very cool. If this happens then the car’s air conditioning should be in good order,’ explained Simpson.