The AC system in your car can make a huge difference in your general driving comfort. These wonderful inventions are great for keeping you fresh and cool on long drives. They can also keep you nice and warm during those chilly winter early morning drives and they are great for keeping the car cabin nice and ventilated and everyone can breathe with ease.

Air conditioning systems that are not properly maintained can, however, start to affect your health. 

How Your Car’s Air Conditioning System Can Make You Sick

There are quite a few different ways your car’s AC system can make you feel unwell. Let’s take a look at the different ways the cooling or heating system of your car can affect your health.

• Bronchitis and Respiratory Issues After Sudden Temperature Changes

It is pretty natural to get sick if you step out of a warm and sweaty area into freezing temperatures and vice versa. A lot of people catch a chill when they drive around with a toasty car cabin temperature and then suddenly step into the freezing air when they stop for a break on their drive. The same goes for warm and sunny days. If you are sweating profusely after working out on a warm day and suddenly step into a freezing car cabin with icy air blowing on your chest you can get a cold or develop bronchitis.

This type of condition can easily be avoided by simply gradually increasing or decreasing your car cabin temperature when you get in or out of the car.

• Diseases From Bacterial Build Up

Your car’s AC system has a lot of filters. These filters are helpful for keeping the cabin nice and clean because they will filter out any dust particles and impurities in the air. Bacteria can, unfortunately, also become lodged in these filters. When you turn the AC system on bacteria can be blown into your vehicle and it can result in you getting this specific disease.

• Respiratory Conditions From Mould Growth

If the AC filter or AC system isn’t cleaned properly, it can create ideal growing conditions for mould and mildew. The fungal spores produced by these growths can affect your health and cause respiratory conditions when these particles become lodged into your lungs after turning on the ventilation system. 

• Asthma And Allergies From Dirty AC Systems

If your sinuses flare up or if you struggle to breathe after turning the AC system on then the filters are likely clogged with allergens like dust and pollen. This issue will keep recurring every time you turn on the AC system until the filters are cleaned out.

How To Keep Your Car’s AC (And Your Health) In Good Shape

There are quite a few things you can do that will keep you from getting ill when you are driving. The first and simplest thing you can do is to keep your car interior nice and clean. Next, you will need to take your car to a mechanic so the AC system can be thoroughly cleaned and maintained. Once the pipelines and air filters have been thoroughly cleaned, the system will function a lot better and your car won’t smell quite as messy or dusty. 

Another important step is to use your AC system the correct way. It is better to gradually increase and decrease the temperature settings so you won’t catch a chill when you get in and out of the vehicle. Gradual temperature increases can also make your car a lot more fuel efficient since your engine won’t have to work as hard to maintain an extremely cold or warm cabin temperature.

A Plus Auto Electrical & Air Conditioning

For any concerns related to your car’s aircon, the best thing you can do is bring it in to A-Plus Auto Electrical & Air Conditioning. These professionals will repair your AC system and can give this system a deep clean so you can stay comfortable and healthy on your long drives.