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Car AC Tips: The rainy season may provide relief from the heat, but it also brings new challenges for the car’s air conditioning (AC) system. Excess moisture can cause mold, bacteria and dampness to grow inside the AC system, which leads to foul smell in the cabin. Apart from this, fogging on the windshield is also a common problem during rains. The good thing is that both these problems can be easily avoided by adopting some easy measures.

Why does fog form on windshield during monsoon?
During the rainy season, the outside air is hot and full of moisture, while the temperature inside the car remains low due to the AC. Due to the difference in outside and inside temperatures, steam accumulates on the windshield, which can reduce visibility while driving.

The right way to remove fog from windshield
To remove fog, it is important to use the AC properly instead of running it at high speed.

• Keep the fan speed low or medium.
• Point the AC vents toward the windshield.
• Use Fresh Air Intake Mode instead of Recirculation Mode.
• Keep the AC on so that the excess moisture in the cabin continues to reduce.
• Even in cloudy or cold weather, running the AC for a few minutes keeps the cabin dry and reduces the chances of fog formation next time.

Why does car AC smell?
There is an important part in the car’s AC system called Evaporator, which removes moisture while cooling the air. This part remains moist for a long time during monsoon.

In such a situation, dust, pollen, bacteria and fungus start accumulating on its surface. This is the reason why dampness or sour smell is felt in the cabin as soon as you turn on the AC. If the drain tube of the AC gets blocked, the problem may worsen due to accumulation of water.

Easy ways to avoid odor and mold

Change cabin air filter timely
If your car has driven 12,000 to 15,000 kilometers, the cooling of the AC has reduced or a bad smell has started coming, then the cabin air filter should be replaced. This is low-cost but very important maintenance.

Switch off AC before parking
About a minute before parking the car, switch off the AC and leave only the fan running. Due to this, the evaporator dries up and moisture does not accumulate in it. This significantly reduces the chances of mold and bacteria formation.

Adopt these habits to keep AC working better in monsoon

• Keep running the AC from time to time even when the weather is cold.
• Use Fresh Air Mode to reduce cabin humidity.
• Keep fan speed low if fog forms on the windshield.
• If the smell persists, then get the AC system serviced and the drain tube checked.

Small precautions, big benefits
Regular maintenance of car AC during monsoon is important not only for comfort but also for safe driving. A clean and properly functioning AC provides better cooling, prevents fogging on the windshield and keeps the cabin air fresh. Also, when the AC system is in better condition, the efficiency of the car is maintained and fuel consumption can also be positively affected.