The auto expert gave advice on checking the cooling of the engine and air conditioner before the heat

By summer, motorists should clean the radiator of the cooling unit and the condenser of the air conditioner. This is an inexpensive procedure that allows you to keep the engine and compressor in working order, Nikita Rodionov, technical director of the international franchise network of Fit Service car services, told Izvestia on May 12.

As the specialist explained, with warming, the cooling system switches from operating temperature maintenance mode to intensive heat dissipation mode. In urban traffic jams and on the highway on a hot day, the temperature of the engine compartment rises sharply, and weak points immediately make themselves felt.

"Before summer, it is worth checking the level and condition of the coolant, inspect the pipes and connections for leaks. It is also important to evaluate the cleanliness of radiators. Over the winter and spring, they become clogged with dust, insects, road soot and poplar fluff, which causes the heat sink to drop and the risk of overheating to increase," said Rodionov.

The expert pointed out that the air conditioner in summer is responsible not only for comfort, but also for safety. A driver tired of the heat reacts worse to the road conditions and tires faster. Therefore, in the spring it is useful to turn on the climate system and check how quickly and steadily it cools the interior, whether there are any extraneous noises and odors.

"It is recommended to visit the service for a professional diagnosis. The technicians will measure the refrigerant pressure, check the tightness of the circuit, the condition of the compressor and condenser. If necessary, they will replace the cabin filter and carry out an antibacterial treatment of the evaporator. This will eliminate the unpleasant odor and reduce the risk of system failure on a hot day," he added.

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Kirill Arzamazov, head of sales at Brannor, a distributor of brake components, told Izvestia on May 1 that in 2026, car maintenance costs for Russian car owners continue to increase, and this growth is already systemic. According to him, the basic seasonal preparation of a car, including inspection, checking of the braking system, replacement of technical fluids and other standard procedures, costs an average of 10-15% more expensive today than a year ago.