Comfort

Comfort

A basic requirement for concentration and safe driving is a feeling of comfort in the passenger compartment. Especially when it is hot and humid, comfort can only be attained through the use of air conditioning. Comfort can of course also be enhanced by opening windows/sun roof or increasing the air output, such a course of action is however associated with certain drawbacks for the occupants of the vehicle, e.g. more noise, draughts, exhaust fumes and unfiltered pollen (unpleasant for allergy sufferers).

Climate control together with a good heating and ventilation system concept can create a sense of well-being and comfort by regulating temperature, humidity and air circulation in the passenger compartment to suit ambient conditions, with the vehicle both stationary and moving.

Other important advantages of air conditioning:
- Purification of the air supplied to the passenger compartment (dust and pollen, for example, are washed out by the moist fins of the evaporator and removed with the condensate).
- Pleasant temperature levels (example: Mid-size car after short travelling time, ambient temperature 30 degrees C in the shade and vehicle exposed to sunlight).







Environmental aspects
Since roughly 1992, the air conditioning systems of newly manufactured cars have been successively converted to refrigerant R134a. This refrigerant contains no chlorine and therefore does not deplete the ozone layer.

Until roughly 1992, refrigerant R12 was used for air conditioning systems. Due to its chlorine atoms, this CFC has a high potential for depleting the ozone layer as well as a tendency to increase the greenhouse effect.

Conversion programs are available for old existing systems filled with the ozone depleting substance R12.

Repair Manual for A/C systems with refrigerant R12

For environmental protection reasons, refrigerants must not be released into the atmosphere (laws and regulations).