When to Change filters and Clean Evaporator coil

[thebarold]

As we enter into Air Conditioning season, the smell in my 2022 MY is not terrible but I suspect getting there. I purchased replacement filters (didn't realize the order comes with only one filter so had to order again) and the cleaning foam.

When do people change the filters and clean the coil - at the start of the AC season or at the end of it?

 

[Mike_TV]

Somewhere in the middle. Don't want to do it when it's 90 or -15 degrees outside. If you leave it on Auto, you AC runs year round anyways.

 

[ATPMSD]

When do people change the filters and clean the coil - at the start of the AC season or at the end of it?

Assuming your car has the heat pump HVAC version there is no “season” as the heat pumps runs year-round either heating or cooling. Thus:

1. Clean the outside coil whenever you wash the car.
2. Clean the coil in the interior filter compartment whenever you replace the air filters. The source of the smell is usually the coil, so use a coil cleaner as needed.