My air con works perfectly but it’s not been serviced in at least 2 years.

I have read that an air con service should include replacing the refrigerant, checking the whole system for leaks and checking the oil level.

Does the air con system on our cars have oil in it and is this something I can check? Is it worth me getting the system re-gassed/serviced despite it working properly?

I am super fastidious about all other servicing aspects of the car but have not really paid much attention to the air con system on any car I have owned.

Thanks 2012 4.4 TDV8 Vogue Santorini black ivory leather

No expert, but the “oil” is added in with the refrigerant to help keep the rubber seals pliable. It’s not something you can check.

Just me, but if it’s working fine I wouldn’t touch it.

Bit of a known issue on the late models is the concentric valve sticking on the AC compressor, so if again, it’s not doing that, I’d also say leave it.

Others might disagree, just my 2p…..

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Ask yourself, how often do you have your fridge freezer serviced.?


That's how often the cars ac system needs servicing, when it goes wrong have a look at it, otherwise don't mess with it.

Thanks both, makes perfect sense and supports what I suspected. Car forums are such an valuable resource - thanks FFRR and all your members. 2012 4.4 TDV8 Vogue Santorini black ivory leather

My 4.4 tdv8 was ‘lacking’ in the a/c earlier this year, I thought it should be cooler than it was, took it to an a/c expert & yep, he said the same thing “have your a/c serviced/checked every two years”. None of us do that until there’s no cold air on a boiling hot day. Mine was just short of refrigerant but it has made me think about having it checked every two or three years. I think emphasis has to be on an a/c expert and not one of the many Mickey Mouse high street outlets that advertise. 2012 Orkney Grey Westminster 4.4TDV8 with Ivory interior.........nice!
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Just one Montesa now, 349 White Wonder
Austin A40 Farina MK2
1975 Morris Marina 1.8TC
1973 Honda CB250 K4

As part of my job at sea I have to maintain the hotel sized A/C and large fridge/freezer rooms systems.
I would check the car A/C system pressures, a gauge to do that is only £10-20, record the pressure, if there is no gas loss then it's most likely there has not been any oil loss ( also inspect the system and look for oily areas on the pipework etc )

If the pressure has not dropped in the two years then to my mind, changing the gas is not needed.
One little tip. do not check the gas pressures 'too' often, as each time you check, you will lose a tiny amount of gas.
Plus, even in cooler climes it is good practice to occasionally run the A/C system so the oil in the system is distributed around said system, that way seals do not 'dry out' and thus helps to reduce the chance of leaks.

If you do top up the gas with the small bottle ( ie like that from Halfords etc ) read the instructions and hold the bottle in the correct position, that way the correct amount of oil will be added alongside the gas. Hope this helps

Main thing to keep the AC in good shape is not to turn it off! 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)