Remember Spring and Fall? You know, those where those seasons that used to come between winter and summer here in McHenry. These days, we just, kind of, move from one of the two remaining seasons to the other.

A couple weekends ago, we had snow. Today, they’re expected highs in the 80s and it’s still May. If it reaches this kind of temperature now, what can we expect when summer is in full bloom? You can begin to perspire just thinking about it. Of course, if you’re prepared, it won’t be too bad.

Prepared? Is the air conditioning in your house up to speed? How about the A/C in your car? The air conditioning in your car can do a lot to enhance your impression of a hot summer. Sure, you’re going to feel the heat from time to time – the sun bearing down on your neck. But, when your air conditioner in your car is working properly, summer doesn’t seem quite as oppressively hot.

On those hot days when you’re stuck in traffic, if the air conditioning in your car isn’t working right, you’ll spend the time in a stifling swelter. Tempers run short when that happens. In other words, sitting in a hot car without A/C isn’t a lot of fun. It’s far more comfortable and, well, calming, to sit in a vehicle where the interior air is cooled to a optimal degree.

Of course, automotive air conditioning isn’t all about comfort. Here in McHenry, temperatures can reach heights that are downright dangerous for the very young, very old and infirm. For such people, auto air conditioning is far more than a luxury.

It’s also more than just a matter of comfort in many business situations. When attending a business meeting, you don’t want ‘them’ to see you sweat. But, how can you hide it when the temperature inside your car is 103-degrees?

Sometimes, you’ll know right away that the car’s air conditioning isn’t working. You’ll turn on the fan and nothing will happen. Or, the fan will run but only warm or hot air comes out of the vent. In such cases, the car’s air conditioner is completely unresponsive and repairs are apparent.

In other cases, the car’s air conditioning will seem to work but just doesn’t quite cool the car as much or as quickly; the car’s air conditioner seems to have to work harder to do the job. In these cases, it’s a matter of bringing the vehicle’s A/C system back up to optimal working order.

In both instances, a qualified auto repair shop can have you back to cool on the highway in little or no time. To make sure you don’t unwittingly fall into the latter category, this is the time of year to have your car’s air conditioner checked.