What happens During a Professional A/C Service

It’s almost like in most of Florida, we only have two seasons: Summer and "Summer Lite.” While parts of the country might be shoveling snow right now, here in Plant City we’re dealing with a different set of climate challenges. Even though the temperatures take a dip starting December, the humidity still hangs around and reminds us that Florida never really takes a break. Our weather simply shifts between a wet season that’s hot, stormy, and sticky, and a dry season that’s cooler and calmer but still humid enough to remind you you’re in Florida.

And that humidity affects your car. Many drivers think A/C service is only a summertime necessity, but seasoned Florida drivers know better. When you’re driving through a damp morning on I-4 and your windshield fogs instantly, your A/C becomes just as essential for visibility as it is for cooling you down in August.

That’s why at Jarrett Scott Ford, we want you to understand what really goes into maintaining your vehicle’s A/C. Here in Florida, this service means clearer windows, better air quality, and protecting the long-term health of your vehicle. Here’s a closer look at how we service your car’s A/C system and why it matters for every daily drive across Polk and Hillsborough Counties.

Why Your A/C Works Harder Here 

Before we look under the hood, we need to understand the environment your vehicle operates in. Driving in Plant City, Lakeland, and Tampa presents a unique "torture test" for automotive air conditioning.

1. The Humidity Heavyweight

Florida is the most humid state in the U.S. Your A/C system’s primary job is to condition the air and remove moisture. When the humidity is 90% on a rainy Tuesday morning on Baker Street, your A/C compressor is working overtime to pull that moisture out of the cabin so your windows don't fog up. 

2. The I-4 and SR-39 Strain

Stop-and-go traffic is the enemy of automotive cooling systems. When you are cruising down the highway, airflow rushes through the condenser grille, naturally helping the system dissipate heat. 

However, when you are stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic that airflow stops. Your vehicle relies entirely on its cooling fans and the compressor to shed heat. This creates immense pressure within the system, leading to faster wear on hoses and seals compared to vehicles in rural areas with open roads.

Signs It’s Time for Vehicle Air Conditioning Service

How do you know when to bring your car in? While a complete lack of cold air is the obvious sign, there are subtle symptoms that indicate your system is struggling:

• The Defroster Delay: If your windshield takes an unusually long time to clear up on a foggy morning, your A/C isn't pulling moisture effectively.
• The Smell: A musty odor when you turn on the vents usually indicates mold or mildew growth in the evaporator core or a clogged cabin filter.
• Short Cycling: If you hear the compressor clicking on and off rapidly (every few seconds), it’s often a sign of low refrigerant levels.
• Water on the Floorboard: This suggests the drain tube is clogged, forcing condensation to back up and leak inside the cabin rather than onto the road.

If you notice any of these, searching for "AC repair service" is your next best step.

What happens During a Professional A/C Service

Many quick-lube places might offer a "top-off," but that is not a true service. At Jarrett Scott Ford, a professional air conditioning service is a systematic, multi-point procedure designed to return your vehicle to factory specifications.

Here is exactly what happens when our certified technicians service your vehicle.

1. The Visual Inspection

Before we hook up any machines, we perform a thorough physical exam of the system’s external components. The A/C system is driven by the engine, and physical wear is common.

• Drive Belt: We inspect the serpentine belt for cracks, glazing, or fraying. If this belt snaps, you lose not only your A/C but also your power steering and alternator.
• Compressor Clutch: We check that the clutch engages and disengages smoothly without grinding noises.
• Hoses and Lines: We look for signs of dry rot, crimps, or oil stains on the rubber hoses. An oil stain on a hose is a tell-tale sign that refrigerant is seeping out at that spot.

2. Performance Testing

We don't just put a hand on the vent and say, "Yep, it's cold." We use precision thermometers and pressure gauges.

• Vent Output Analysis: We measure the temperature drop between the air intake (usually at the floor) and the center vent. A healthy system should achieve a specific differential based on the ambient temperature.
• Pressure Readings: This is the most technical part. We hook up gauges to the "High Side" and "Low Side" of the system.
• High pressures can indicate a blockage in the expansion valve or a condenser that isn't shedding heat (often due to road debris).
• Low pressures usually indicate a leak or a failing compressor.

These readings give us an X-ray view of the system's internal health.

3. Leak Detection

Refrigerant is a gas that turns into a liquid under pressure. When there is a leak, it escapes invisibly. Simply adding more gas to a leaking system is bad for your wallet and terrible for the environment.

4. System Evacuation and Recharge

 This is the core of the automotive air conditioning service. It is not as simple as pumping gas in.

• Evacuation: We use a specialized machine to pull a vacuum on your system. This sucks out the old refrigerant and, crucially, removes moisture and air. Moisture inside an A/C system turns into acid, which corrodes the metal components from the inside out.
• The Recharge: Once the system is clean and holds a vacuum (proving there are no massive leaks), we recharge it with the precise weight of refrigerant specified by Ford.
• Note on Refrigerants: Older vehicles use R134a, while most newer Ford models (2017+) use the more environmentally friendly R1234yf. A professional service center is equipped to handle both specific types safely and correctly.

5. The Cabin Air Filter

Often overlooked during general air conditioning repair services, the cabin air filter is critical for airflow.

If this filter is clogged with Plant City dust, oak pollen, or road grime, the blower motor has to work twice as hard to push air through it. This restricts the volume of air cooling your cabin. Replacing this filter doesn't just improve the temperature; it drastically improves the air quality you breathe, filtering out exhaust fumes and allergens.

Why "DIY" A/C Cans Are a Bad Idea

Walk into any auto parts store and you’ll see shelves of "A/C Pro" cans promising a quick fix. We strongly advise against these for modern vehicles.

A/C systems are closed loops designed for a specific volume of refrigerant. These DIY cans rely on a cheap gauge that only measures the low-pressure side. It is incredibly easy to overcharge the system.

When you overcharge an A/C system, the pressure becomes too high for the compressor to handle. This can cause the compressor to seize or "grenade," sending metal shrapnel through your entire system. What would have been a standard service suddenly became a repair bill costing thousands of dollars to replace the entire cooling loop.

Trust Jarrett Scott Ford with Your Climate Control

Your car is a complex machine, and in the Florida climate, the A/C system is one of its most hardworking components. Whether you are driving a Ford F-150 towing equipment or an Explorer hauling the family to soccer practice, you need reliable climate control.

At Jarrett Scott Ford, our factory-trained technicians understand the specific specs of your vehicle. We use OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts and state-of-the-art recycling and recharging stations to ensure your service is done right the first time.

Don't wait until the first heatwave of spring hits or until you’re stuck in a rainstorm with a foggy windshield. Ensure your comfort and safety today.