In today's world, it's important to have cars with a working heating and air conditioning unit. Unfortunately, however, these units can sometimes run into problems even with regular care and maintenance. Since the last thing you want is to suddenly find yourself stuck in traffic without a working air conditioner, it's important to keep a watchful eye on your car's AC unit. That way, you'll be sure to notice the warning signs of a failing air conditioner and can fix the problem before it causes your AC to go out entirely.

Of course, you can't be on the lookout for these signs if you don't know what they are, so read on to learn about some of the most common signs that air conditioner issues are coming!

Strange Noises

When it's on, your air conditioner should be relatively quiet. All you should hear is the sound of cool air coming out of the vents. If you start hearing sputtering, clanging, or other odd sounds, however, something's wrong!

More often than not, a noisy air conditioner is one with a problematic compressor. Fortunately, compressors are usually relatively cheap and easy to repair, so as long as you take care of the problem quickly, it shouldn't be a big deal. If you let the problem fester, however, the compressor can completely break down and also cause damage to the air conditioning system as a whole.

Leaks

If you happen to notice a puddle of liquid under your car, or, worse yet, find liquid dripping from the unit into your car, you've got a problem! Air conditioners should not leak, and when they do, there's something wrong.

The leaked liquid will either be coolant or refrigerant, and it will either be coming from a faulty compressor or a damaged hose, sometimes both. Again, these are both easy fixes and don't have to cause serious damage to your AC unit if you take care of them promptly.

Odd Odors

Finally, pay attention to any strange smells that develop in your car. Old, congealing coolant can cause an air conditioner to give off a strange smell, as can other problems, such as clogged or dirty vents. Since there are many possible causes of odor, it's best just to let a professional take a look and figure out what's causing the problem.

In fact, a pro can help you with just about any air conditioner problem. The key is just to get help sooner rather than later. To learn more, or if you have other questions, contact a company like Aamco Transmissions & Auto Repair for help.