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How can I clean my car’s air conditioner?
I’m getting ready to go on a road trip next week, but when I turn on my car’s air conditioning, the entire car starts to smell stale and mildewy. I want to get this fixed before I leave, but how can I clean my car’s air conditioner?
Jack Walsh · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Problems always seem to arise at the very worst times, but fortunately, cleaning your car’s air conditioner isn’t difficult!
The smell coming from the vents is caused by bacteria and mold buildup in your vehicle’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. It is not uncommon and fixable with a disinfectant or antibacterial spray. To freshen up your car’s air conditioning:
- Turn the car off: Spray a generous amount of your disinfectant or antibacterial cleaner inside the vents.
- Find the HVAC system’s air intake vent: It is usually by the base of your windshield on the outside of the vehicle. Clear away any debris.
- Spray cleaner into the intake vent.
- Start the car and turn the air conditioning to the highest setting: The cleaner will work through the HVAC system and kill the odor-causing bacteria and mold.
- Run the fans for a few minutes: Repeat if necessary.
If there is still a lingering smell, you should replace your cabin air filter. Replacing the cabin air filter is simple, but the process varies by vehicle, so consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions. If the smell still hasn’t disappeared, have the car serviced to check for additional causes.
Finally, with your road trip only a week away, you should see if you have
towing and labor coverage
on your car insurance
policy to avoid being stranded on the side of the road or paying out of pocket. For towing coverage, lockout service, tire change, jump starts, key replacement, and more, try a roadside assistance membership through
Jerry
for as little as $4.16 a month. View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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