How to Donate a car in California

Are you ready to donate a car in California? If so, good for you! Donating a car to charity is a wonderful decision on many levels. First of all, your donation goes to help a great cause. Plus, you get your old vehicle or junk car moved off of your property free of charge. You are also recycling an old vehicle, and you also get to claim the car donation as a tax deduction.
In this post you'll find some tips on how to donate a car in California and some specific requirements you should be aware of that relate to California car donations.
1. To donate a car in California, you begin by submitting an online car donation form or calling the charity you wish donate your vehicle to. If you wish to claim the car donation as a tax deduction, be sure to check that the charity is an IRS recognized nonprofit organization.
2. The process for receiving the tax receipt for your charitable donation may vary. Some charities will email you the initial receipt while others have the tow truck provide you with the receipt at the time of pick up. This is just an initial receipt and enables you to claim a tax deduction of up to $500. You should check with the charity to find out what their procedure is for providing you with this receipt when you submit your vehicle donation.
3. In the State of California, the license plates remain with the vehicle, so these should not be removed prior to the pickup.
4. Filing a Release of Liability with the California Department of Motor Vehicles is an important step you do not want to miss when you donate a car. This document releases you from future liability which may arise for any reason after the vehicle is donated. In California the procedure for filing a Release of Liability is that you must return the pink portion of the title or DMV form REG 138 to your local Department of Motor Vehicles. Alternatively, you can file your release of liability online at http://www.dmv.ca.gov.
5. If your vehicle sells for more than $500, or if it qualifies for a fair market value tax deduction, you will receive additional tax paperwork after the sale of the vehicle takes place. The amount you will be allowed to deduct on your taxes will vary depending on several factors which could include the price the vehicle is sold for or whether the vehicle is classified as a fair market value car donation.
6. One last point we should mention is that if you plan to claim your car donation tax deduction on your 2012 taxes, you need to make sure you donate the car well before the deadline of December 31, 2012. The charity should have possession of the vehicle before midnight on December 31st, or at least have the pickup well in the works, in order for you to claim your tax deduction in 2012. Don’t wait till the last minute as there could be delays that could result in you being unable to claim the donation as a deduction for the current tax year.
If you have any further questions related to your
car donation tax deduction , most charities are relatively knowledgeable about the process and paperwork needed, however, you should consult a CPA or accountant for specifics regarding your particular tax situation.
For additional questions related to car donations in California , you can contact your local DMV or visit the California DMV website for the latest information on state specific req uirements.

Donate a car to charity

It's easy to donate a car to charity if all you want to do is get rid of it. Simply call a charity that accepts old vehicles and it will tow your heap away. But if you want to maximize your tax benefits, it's more complicated. Here's a walk-through of some of the considerations, with the usual proviso that you should discuss these issues with your tax preparer before you act.
You Must Itemize Your Return
If you want to claim a car donation to reduce your federal income taxes, you must itemize deductions. You could itemize even if the donated auto is your only deduction, but that's usually not the best choice.
Here's the math: Suppose you're in the 28 percent tax bracket and the allowable deduction for the vehicle's donation is $1,000. That will save you $280 in taxes. If you're in the 15 percent tax bracket and you get that same $1,000 deduction, it will reduce your taxes by $150.
If the car donation is your only deduction, it's likely that taking a standard deduction would save you thousands more dollars in taxes. The only way that donating a car nets you any tax benefit is if you have many deductions and if their total, including the car, exceeds the standard deduction. And remember, you can always donate as much as you want to charities, but the IRS limits how much you can claim on your tax return.
The 2017 Tax Bill and Car Donations
Taxpayers who are considering donating a car to charity might be wondering how the tax bill passed into law in December 2017 could affect their decision. To begin with, the bill, called the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, lowered tax rates but also altered the previous income brackets. Beginning in 2018 you may find yourself in a new bracket, which might result in either lower or higher taxes, depending on your individual situation. And that means the tax benefit from a donation might be more or less advantageous.
Another important change is that the new law raises the standard deductions from $6,350 to $12,000 for individuals and married couples filing separately; from $9,350 to $18,000 for the head of a household; and from $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples filing jointly. This change likely means that fewer people will find it beneficial to itemize deductions.
"The vast majority of taxpayers are going to take the standard deduction," says David L. Thompson, vice president of public policy for the National Council of Nonprofits . "That means most taxpayers have no incentive to give to charity. That's a serious concern. We fully expect the doubling of the standard deduction to reduce giving by $13 [billion] to $20 billion a year."
With these and other changes resulting from the revised tax laws, it's more important than ever for consumers to consult with their financial adviser or tax preparer before making a decision about donating a car to charity.
The Charity Must Qualify
Only donations to qualified charities can provide a tax deduction for you. A qualified charity is one that the IRS recognizes as a 501(c)(3) organization. Religious organizations are a special case. They do count as qualified organizations, but they aren't required to file for 501(c)(3) status.
To help you determine whether a charity is qualified, the easiest thing to do is to use the IRS exempt organizations site, or call the IRS toll-free number: 877-829-5500.
A Key Concept: Fair Market Value
The IRS defines fair market value as "the price a willing buyer would pay and a willing seller would accept for the vehicle, when neither party is compelled to buy or sell and both parties have reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts." In this scenario, neither the buyer nor the seller can be an auto dealer. Both must be private parties.
What complicates the matter for taxpayers is that under current IRS rules, you can only deduct a vehicle's fair market value under four very specific conditions:
1. When a charity auctions your car for $500 or less, you can claim either the fair market value or $500, whichever is less.
2. When the charity intends to make "significant intervening use of the vehicle." This means the charity will use the car in its work.
3. When the charity intends to make a "material improvement" to the vehicle, not just routine maintenance.
4. When the charity gives or sells the vehicle to a needy individual at a price significantly below fair market value.
Determining Fair Market Value
Edmunds can help you determine your vehicle's fair market value with its Appraise Your Car calculator. Enter the car's year, make and model, as well as such information as trim level, mileage and condition. By looking at the private-party value, you'll get an accurate idea of what your vehicle is worth.
Note the caution from IRS Publication 4303: "If you use a vehicle pricing guide to determine fair market value, be sure that the sales price listed is for a vehicle that is the same make, model and year, sold in the same condition, and with the same or substantially similar options or accessories as your vehicle."
Getting Fair Market Value Is Rare
It's not realistic to expect that your car will meet one of the stringent fair market value requirements. Only about 5 percent of donated vehicles are suitable for use by charity recipients. About a third of donated cars are junked, and the rest are auctioned off.
So unless your car is in good or excellent condition, it will most likely be sold at auction or to an auto salvage yard. In that case, your deduction is based on the car's selling price, not your estimate of its fair market value. And note that this price is not necessarily something you'll know when you donate the vehicle, or even before the next tax-filing time, since an organization has up to three years to sell your car.
Paperwork Is Important
Getting tax benefits for a donated car requires a lot of documentation, whether the car is junked, sold at auction or given to a charity's client. IRS Publication 4303 has all the details. Be sure to keep all the papers or electronic files. You'll need them at tax time.
If there's a delay in getting paperwork from the charity, your first option, according to IRS Publication 526, is to file Form 4868 . That's a request for an automatic six-month extension of time to submit your return. Your second option is to file the return on time without claiming the deduction for the qualified vehicle. When the charity finally sends your notification, you can file an amended return using form 1040X to claim the deduction. You'll have to attach a copy of the notification to your 1040X.
Another Approach To Car 'Donation'
Besides giving your car directly to a charity, there is another way your vehicle can help a charity and also maximize your tax benefits: You can sell the car yourself and donate the proceeds. By doing so, you might be able to generate more cash than if you let the charity sell it.
Parting with your old vehicle could help a nonprofit carry out its mission and also might make room in your garage for a new car. But how you proceed depends on your goal. If you're focused on getting rid of a junker with minimal effort and you'd look at the tax deduction as a nice bonus, then donating your car makes good sense. But if your goal is to maximize your tax deduction, carefully review these steps, consult with your tax adviser and  then make an informed decision.

Online Banking Tips to Keep Your Accounts Secure

Whether you’re checking your bank accounts, transferring funds, or making a payment, online banking is a convenient way to manage your basic transactions. More banks and credit unions are offering online banking options as a convenience to customers, and now it’s easier than ever to keep track of your finances. However, online banking is not without its risks, so you’ll need to be cautious when storing usernames and passwords on your computer, and make sure you’re really logging in to your financial institution’s encrypted site.

Here are seven tips for safe online banking:

1. Monitor your accounts regularly. Check your accounts regularly to make sure all transactions posted are ones you authorized. Report any fraudulent or suspicious activity to your bank. Get into the habit of monitoring your accounts every few days and always after you’ve done any type of online shopping. You will want to make sure your account was charged appropriately and that your account number isn’t being used for other purchases you didn’t make.

2. Avoid clicking through emails. Your bank or financial institution may send you email alerts and updates, but you don’t have to click through the links to access your account. It’s usually much safer to log in to the website manually to ensure you are entering a secure site. Phishing emails redirect the recipient to a malicious website or fraudulent version of the bank’s website and some are designed to collect your username, password, and other personal information. Don’t be afraid to call your bank to verify whether they sent you an email or if they need to get in touch with you. Never respond to emails that ask to verify your identity by providing your username or password. Banks will never ask for this information via email—at most, you will need to supply the answer to a security question and will do this over the phone with a personal banker.

3. Change your passwords regularly. Avoid using the same password across multiple sites and make sure you are choosing a strong password that is a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using any words or phrases that contain your name, initials, or your birthdate. Also get into the habit of changing them every couple of months. Some banks have an extra security step in place, where you will need to verify your identity by identifying a pre-selected image or answering a security question. This extra layer of security can make the online banking process that much safer.

4. Access your accounts from a secure location. Avoid using unsecured wireless access points to jump online and log in to your online accounts. You should access these accounts when you’re certain you have a secure connection. Unsecured wireless access points, such as those found at airports, coffee shops, and hotels, are easy to intercept and someone could easily collect the information you’re using to log in.

5. Protect your computer. Make sure you’re running anti-virus protection software and the firewall is turned on so you aren’t vulnerable to any type of virus that might be downloaded and installed from a malicious site. Take the time to review different programs and pay a little extra for a higher-quality one that will provide you with protection when you are banking online, shopping online, or just opening emails.

6. Check for encryption. You’ll want to check if you’re really logging in to your bank’s site by looking for a small lock icon somewhere on your browser. The URL should also begin with “https.” Both the icon and the URL indicate you are accessing your account over an encrypted connection.

7. Keep your system up-to-date. Whether you’re using a laptop or desktop computer to access the Internet, make sure you’re downloading appropriate updates and keeping your system up-to-date. Run

anti-virus scans regularly and authorize system updates as needed. Some of the leading Trojan horse viruses only work on outdated systems, so your computer may be more vulnerable to an attack unless you continually update it. You can also run scans on a schedule to double-check for bugs .

Top 5 Tips for Improving Student Study Skills

Studying can be a major hurdle for students. Making the most of study time can be particularly challenging as kids head back to school and try to adjust to new classes and sometimes even new surroundings.
With this in mind, EducationWorld offers the following five strategies that target some of the more difficult aspects of studying. Developed by
Eileen Tracy , an Oxford-educated expert in study skills, they offer students a new twist on traditional techniques. During the first days of school, try devoting some class time to honing these important skills.
#5 Time Management – This is often one of the more difficult issues for students to tackle. Between time spent in class, after-school activities and family time, there is very little left for anything else. Tracy suggests sitting down and creating a schedule that works for the individual.
“While there is (thankfully) no such thing as a perfect time-manager, there are various ways, some of them very structured, others much looser, to organize different types of workloads. You can adapt them to suit your preferences so that you have a timetable that works for you. The point of time management is to give you time off, too. Properly done, timetabling offers a balanced way of working, releasing you from the anxieties that go with disorganization. Many students find that this improves their motivation.”
You can work with your students to help them develop a timetable that provides ample study time as well as appropriate down time to avoid burnout.
These EducationWorld resources can help:
Lessons in Time Management
Eliminating Wasted Time
#4 Essay Planning – A common theme explored at EducationWorld is the trepidation many students feel when required to write something. They often feel as though the ability to produce a clear and concise thought on paper is beyond them, and Tracy believes that this is due to a lack of forethought. She suggests that thoroughly planning out the essay before sitting down to write it can be a big step toward improvement:
“Planning takes time and practice, which is why students often try to skip this crucial stage in their hurry to start writing (particularly in exams). ...This is counterproductive: a well-structured essay, rich in analysis, well-argued and relevant, scores many more marks than something that you try to work out as you go along. Examiners’ top complaint is that students don’t answer the question. That’s because most students don’t plan.
By learning to plan, you can develop your ability to read and interpret, to create logical links and to think laterally. You can stop agonizing over how to introduce and conclude your essay. All this will save you hours of redrafting. And in exams, you’ll score points by the power of thought rather than by purely relying on memory. Knowing that you can do this even under exam pressure is a great confidence-booster.”
Even if students have received some instruction on planning before writing, teachers may want to either reaffirm those previous lessons, or add to them. The more students plan, the better their writing will become.
For example, check out these EdWorld resources:
Writing Lessons and Activities for Every Grade
How to Write a Five-Paragraph Essay
#3 Memory Tricks – Mnemonics is a very old technique, but one that still works. On its face, it may seem a bit silly, but for many students this is far more effective than strict memorization. Tracy recommends making the process fun:
“Mnemonics are a huge variety of creative 'tricks' which stimulate your right brain, making it easier to retain all kinds of information than by rote learning. Mnemonics involve making imaginative associations, so students with good imaginations love these techniques. (They can also help you to regain your imaginative powers if these have been lost.) They are particularly useful in subjects such as biology, chemistry and history where names, facts, figures, dates and sequences need to be learned by heart. However, they’re also helpful in other subjects: for instance, I used them in my English Finals exams to remember lists of key points and dates.
Mnemonics bring another benefit: they help you to observe what you remember best. This makes you wiser as to how you should process your learning. Mnemonics take all the worry out of relying on your memory and can put some sparkle into your revision.”
EducationWorld offers the following related tips:
Teaching With Mnemonics
#2 Mindmapping –This is a visual form of studying that prompts students to literally draw thoughts and ideas on paper so they can be reviewed visually rather than verbally. Tracy suggests that this technique can be used with students of all age groups:
“Mindmapping offers a terrific shortcut to revision and essay planning. You can also use it for brainstorming. It works for most subjects, particularly arts and humanities, but also some sciences. It’s effective even at the highest levels of university education. It involves sketching out information in a strikingly visual manner, using key words, colors and making use of shapes and space, stimulating your right brain. This encourages lateral thinking. Students who mindmap comment on how easily ideas come to mind with this technique. Mindmaps are also extremely easy to remember. Whether or not you’re any good at drawing, if you’ve got a creative streak, you’ll find mindmapping a liberation in your studies."
On our Tools & Templates page, EducationWorld provides several graphic organizer templates that can help with mindmapping.
#1 Note Taking – K-12 students typically fall into two categories when it comes to note taking; those who write down everything the teachers says verbatim, and those who write almost nothing down. Tracy suggests that the key to knowing how much to write down lies in the students’ ability to pluck out keywords from a lecture:
“It’s not always obvious how to take good notes from books and lectures: often they turn out to be unhelpful if they’re too wordy or too brief. Some students waste time writing everything out neatly or putting their notes into the computer. None of this is necessary. The art of taking good notes lies in identifying key points. This is a very active form of revision which enables you to summarize and absorb vast quantities of information quickly and easily. You’ll save yourself hours of time, and a small fortune on highlighter pens.”
You can help your students with this skill by starting the year off making special note of key points during a lecture. Saying, 'Write this down because it’s important,' lets the students know the idea is a key one. By the end of the first semester, they should have a pretty good read on your lecture style and their note-taking will be better for it."

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What is your car insurance actually insuring? Although you're buying a single insurance policy covering a specific vehicle, a number of components make up the final cost:
Bodily injury liability: Covers injury and death claims against you, and legal costs, if your car injures or kills someone.
Property damage liability: Covers claims for property that your car damages in an accident. Because liability coverage protects the other party, it is required in all but three states.
Medical payments: Pays for injuries to yourself and to occupants of your car. This is optional in some states. In "no-fault" states, personal injury protection replaces medical payments as part of the basic coverage.
Uninsured motorist protection: Covers injuries caused to you or the occupants of your car by uninsured or hit-and-run drivers. "Under-insured" coverage also is available, to cover claims you may make against a driver who has inadequate insurance. In some states, as many as 30 percent of drivers are uninsured.
Collision coverage: Covers damage to your car up to its book value . Collision coverage carries a deductible, which is the amount per claim you have to pay before the insurance takes effect. The lower the deductible, the higher the premium. While it is legally optional, a lending institution or leasing company usually requires collision coverage.
Comprehensive (physical damage): Covers damage to your car from theft, vandalism, fire, wind, flood, and other non-accident causes. Comprehensive also carries a deduc tible.

5 Essential Tips for Buying Life Insurance Tips for first time life insurance shoppers When it comes to buying life insurance to protect your family, you have a lot of choices to make. Everything from selecting the right amount of coverage to choosing a reputable life insurance company to buy your policy from can make the process feel overwhelming. The good news is that once you get started, you may discover that the process of buying life insurance really isn't that complicated. If you're a first time life insurance shopper, a good place to start is by getting a rough estimate of how much life insurance you should be purchasing to protect your family. For a quick and easy way to calculate your needs, try using Protective Life's Needs Calculator . Next, get an understanding of the difference between term and permanent* life insurance so you'll have a good sense of what direction you should take when it comes to these two basic policy types. You can read more about term and permanent life insurance in our article, Term vs Permanent Life: What to Consider . Finally, before you go shopping for your first life insurance policy, here are a few “good to know” tips for finding the right policy at an affordable price: For more tips on buying life insurance, or shopping for a life insurance company when you have existing health issues , visit the Protective Learning Center . *Provided required premium payments are timely made. If necessary, take advantage of the “free look” period. Even after your policy issues, you'll typically have what is called a free look period. During this time, you'll have a certain number of days in which to make changes to your policy, or even reject it altogether. Be sure to ask your company representative how long your free look period is and when it begins. If for some reason you don't feel the policy is right for you, this is the time when you can change your mind with no financial obligation. Read more about the free look period . 1. Compare apples to apples. When getting price quotes on life insurance, be sure that you are comparing similar products. Because term life generally has lower premiums than a permanent life policy, there can be a big price difference for a $50,000 term policy compared to a $50,000 permanent policy. Depending on your coverage needs, it's important to look at every angle, not just the monthly premium. 2. Understand that life insurance is designed for protection. Your main purpose for getting life insurance should be to protect your beneficiaries financially in the event of your death. While permanent life insurance policies have the potential to earn cash value over time, they are not meant as investment vehicles. 3. Enhance your coverage with policy riders if necessary. When you select a policy, ask your company representative about the types of policy riders that may be available to you. Riders or endorsements are ways in which you can customize your policy to meet your needs and budget. 4. Buy from a reputable life insurance company. Your life insurance policy is meant to financially protect the people you love when you are no longer here to do so yourself. Do some homework on the life insurance company that you are considering buying from and learn more about how to select a reliable life insurance company.

Shopping for life insurance can become an overwhelming task. The good news is once you have mastered a few basics and follow a few simple tips, the process becomes much less complicated. Read on to learn about 5 simple tips for buying life insurance, especially if it's your first time.

Tips for Buying Life Insurance: What First Time Life Insurance Shoppers Need to Know

5 best insurance tips for millennials

If you’re a millennial, you know this definition all too well. You’ve reached the age where you may be taking out student loans, buying or renting a place to live, having kids and, ultimately, purchasing insurance. These major life events for millennials make it extremely important to have a financial security net. And that’s exactly what insurance is: a financial security net. So it’s troubling that a survey from Princeton Survey Research Associates International named millennials the most underinsured generation.
There are many reasons why people of all generations avoid purchasing insurance. It‘s often seen as a big investment, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s an expensive one. In fact, insurance probably costs less than you think. For instance, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), millennials overestimated the cost of renters insurance by more than five times its actual cost per year.
Also, the complicated terms can make finding a policy a puzzling experience and the subject matter can be tough to digest. No one wants to think about being in a car accident, experiencing a break in, losing everything in an apartment fire or any other sort of bad, unexpected event. But these things can happen, so you’ll want to be prepared.
And don’t let any initial confusion or preconceived notions drive you away. You’re a millennial, after all! Your generation is always tackling new challenges and expanding the way the world works, oftentimes in brilliant ways.
Insurance provides essential financial protection for your future, so now’s the time to start “adulting” and take that first step.
Here are five tips for buying insurance:
1. Shop smart. When looking for insurance, your No. 1 priority should be to find adequate coverage. Price is important, but you’ll want to determine what kind of coverage you need first. Then you can fit that coverage into your budget and determine which carrier can provide you with the most comprehensive policy for your situation. You may be tempted to choose insurance with the lowest price tag, but if you don’t have enough coverage (or the right kind of coverage), you will see less financial benefit when it comes time to file a claim.
2. Look for discounts. Once you evaluate your coverage needs, factor in your budget and find ways to save. Ask your insurance agent if there are any discounts on your coverage. Often, carriers offer discounts for things like paying your policy in full, staying auto accident-free or, if you’re in school, getting good grades. You also can save money by “bundling” multiple policies, such as purchasing a home and auto policy from the same carrier.
3. Fill in the gaps. An average policy will cover the basics, but you may need to add extra coverage to meet your unique needs. For instance, you may have items like electronics or a nice piece of jewelry that would be financially difficult to replace, even with the assistance of your average renters or homeowners policy. You may want to add additional coverage for these items.
4. Purchase life insurance—you aren’t too young. Life insurance is essential, no matter how young or old you are. And for millennials, buying now may be a smart move because it’s cheaper to buy a life insurance policy when you’re young and healthy. This kind of insurance can help your family cover unexpected costs in your absence, including student loan debt or a mortgage, in addition to end-of-life costs. And if you have kids, a life insurance policy can also support their education or childcare expenses. Additionally, every millennial should consider long-term disability coverage, which helps you stay afloat financially if an accident happens and you become disabled and unable to work.
5. Talk to an independent agent. An independent insurance agent is an essential resource when purchasing insurance—especially if this is your first time. An independent agent works with multiple different carriers, which is different from captive agents who can only sell insurance from the carrier they work for. Working with an independent agent can help make sure that you are getting the best coverage, for the best price. You’ll also benefit from independent agents’ insurance knowledge; they know how to talk you through your options and actually explain what each policy includes. An independent agent will make sure all of your assets are covered, help you find discounts or other ways to save, and be a valuable resource as your life changes and your insurance needs ch ange, too.

Caring for Your Classic Car: A Guide to Car Covers

When you own a classic car, you have to treat it with extra care. If you take good care of a classic car, it is an investment that will appreciate in value each passing year. One of the most important parts of caring for an antique car is keeping it covered whenever it is not in use. You have to make sure that you invest in a quality car cover that will keep your vehicle safe. Here are some things that classic car enthusiasts need to know to pick out the right car covers.
1. What Are the Benefits of Classic Car Covers?
First of all, they keep other people from putting their grubby fingers on your car. This is especially important if you have kids. Covers will prevent your antique car from being accidentally dinged, scratched, or dented. They protect a car from the elements when it is outside. They also keep dust from piling up when your car is in storage.
2. When Do You Need to Use a Car Cover?
Many people think that car covers are only useful when they park their vehicles outside. However, they are actually just as useful when you have your car parked in a garage. They keep your car safe from damage whether your car is parked inside or outside. You need to cover up your antique car with a car cover whenever you are not actively using it. Even if you are only going to be away from your car for a few hours, it is a good idea to keep it protected with a cover to be on the safe side.
3. What Material Is Best for Your Car Cover?
There are many different materials that are ideal for car covers. WeatherShield is a polyester-based fabric that is a very good choice for those who will be using their car covers outside frequently.
Noah is a car cover fabric made from polyurethane. It is designed to repel moisture, and this makes it is one of the best fabrics to protect a classic car from precipitation. The Noah fabric is also lightweight, which makes it easy to handle.
Sunbrealla is a car cover material made with acrylic fibers. It has been designed to give a car maximum protection from UV radiation, making it the perfect choice for people who live in sunny areas like the Southwest.
4. Custom Fit Is the Best
If you want to get the best car cover for your classic car, you should get one that has been custom fitted for your vehicle. A car cover with a custom fit will be easy to get on and off your car. It will also fit perfectly snugly against your car, ensuring that few outside elements can touch your car. Although you will have to pay a little more to get a car cover that has been custom fitted for your car, it is well worth it to keep your classic car  protected.

How to repair your car ac

How to Diagnose and Repair Your car's Ac

There aren’t many things as satisfying as the cool breeze from your car’s air conditioning. On the flip side, a faulty A/C during an unforgiving heat wave can ruin a driver’s experience. Here’s some advice for finding out the problem with your A/C and fixing it up.
Of course, the most telling sign of a bad A/C is one that doesn’t blow out cold air or has a weak air flow. However, even if your A/C is blowing just fine, it can still turn out to be broken. You can tell its bad if you hear a rattling or screeching upon turning it on. This can be from a bad bearing in the compressor pulley. You can check parts under the hood as well. Signs of malfunctioning include: a belt that drives the compressor which has fallen off or slips on the compressor pulley, a dirty condenser (sheet of tubing in front of the radiator), or a dirty cabin air filter.
A/Cs typically stop working because of a leak. The refrigerant, that runs through the system drains out through the leak and results in a low refrigerant level. You can verify this by testing the pressure using gauges that connect to the test/load valves (located near the compressor), or going to an auto shop for a pressure diagnostic. If you have a different issue with your A/C, you might have other nonworking components.
To see if you have a leak, you can take your car to the auto shop for a pressure diagnostic and leak evaluation, costing around $80 – $150. It’s wise to have professionals refill the system with coolant or refrigerant because often it’s difficult to tell when there’s too little or too much. A legitimate fill up can cost around $100. Before looking for a leak, take time to check under the hood. Simply replacing the cabin air filter (located behind the glove box) can fix the air conditioner efficiency. Since the filter catches all the junk you don’t want to breathe, often it’ll clog and block the air flow. A dirty condenser can also prevent the A/C working at its top efficiency. This is like the outside part of your home air conditioner and get clogged with dead bugs and dirt and grime. You can clean this best using the pressure washer at the car wash.
You can also test the compressor. With the hood up and someone turning on the A/C, you should hear a click and feel a load on the engine as the compressor comes on. This will cause the engine idle to go up. If you can locate the pressure switch on the A/C dryer metal canister, unplug it, reconnect it, and retest. If you still can’t figure out why your A/C won’t work, take it to an auto shop. It’s better to seek help and pay for service than potentially damage your vehicle.