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How do you tell if a car AC is overcharged?

The air conditioning in my car has been struggling recently so I bought some of that canned refrigerant that supposedly fixes the problem—but now the air is blowing even hotter! My friend said I may have overcharged it but I have no idea what that means. How can I tell if my car’s air conditioning is overcharged?

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Jack Walsh · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Overcharging your car’s air conditioning using one of the canned refrigerants bought online or at an auto shop is a common problem. Some of the symptoms include:
  • Inadequate cooling or hot air coming from the vents
  • Noisy or non-functioning compressor
  • High-pressure reading
  • Failing engine
Given the circumstance and hot air coming from the vents, your friend is likely correct in saying you have overcharged your car’s air conditioning. To get this fixed, you will have to go to the mechanic to have it professionally done. The chemicals in the refrigerant used to charge your air conditioning can be dangerous and require specific tools and know-how to handle.
Some things are better left to professionals, but if you were trying to fix your air conditioning to save some money on car expenses, consider using
Jerry
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car insurance
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