MAY 2023 AFTERMARKET 49 www.aftermarketonline.net cleaned can wipe out this risk. “In modern vehicle models, gaining access is usually quite easy via the pollen filter. The first thing to do is dry the evaporator. It is then treated with the A/C System Cleaner (Spray) which reliably eliminates bacteria and mold. At the same time, their remains are rinsed off the evaporator. You can also spray disinfectant into the ventilation ducts. However, you have to be very careful in terms of dosage here, so that the liquid doesn't just go somewhere where you don't want it to go later. Finally, the evaporator needs to be dried again. That's all it takes to professionally clean the air conditioning.” David added: “Anyone opting for an air-conditioning service with the LIQUI MOLY product at the garage chooses a thoroughly cleaned evaporator. Other manufacturers offer ultrasonic or foam cleaning methods. In both cases, germs are also eliminated, but in our case, they are also rinsed off the evaporator. By contrast, if the eliminated bacteria remain on the evaporator, they form a great breeding ground for the next bacterial infestation. In our eyes, that is not proper cleaning. If, for example, you combine cleaning with a vehicle service as part of which the pollen filter is replaced anyway, this results in hardly any additional work and generates genuine additional income for the garage.” Health and comfort Filters play a crucial role in the air conditioning system as well, as Karl Ridings, Sales Director UK and Ireland – Aftermarket at UFI Filters, observed: “After autumn and winter have left their mark on the vehicle's cabin air filter with moisture, dust, fine dust and debris, it is important to replace it for spring. In order to guarantee ultimate protection against harmful particles and boost the efficiency of the air conditioning system, the UFI Filters Group recommends replacing the cabin filter regularly every 15,000 km, and at shorter intervals in particularly dusty areas, or every 6-12 months at the latest. This operation is crucial for health and comfort inside the passenger compartment.” The shift to EVs has also meant changes to filters, as Karl noted: “UFI Filters is producing advanced high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters for OEM cabin air filtration in battery electric vehicle (BEV) applications. These filters are mainly applied to the electric vehicles of a leading manufacturer already since 2021. Featuring ultra-high efficiency filter media previously used in the health and medical sector, UFI HEPA cabin filters achieve efficiencies of 99.975% for particles smaller than 0.3 µm - 1,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. This stops and traps in the filter not only common ambient particles and fine dust, but also most hazardous airborne bio-contaminants, including spores, bacteria and viruses.” Requirement Alan Povey, Quality, Warranty, and Technical Representative at MAHLE Aftermarket observed: “As the aftermarket It’s always worth offering to check the A/C when a vehicle is in for a service ”
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