Compressor is the heart of the A/C system. Compressor sucks in the low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator, and compresses it into high-pressure gas. The refrigerant is then discharged and supplied to the condenser. The engine via a belt and clutch or pulley drives the compressor.

Condenser is a heat exchanger, which removes the heat of the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant supplied by the compressor and condenses it into a liquid. When the refrigerant is liquefied, it flows to the receiver dryer. 

The receiver dryer stores the liquefied refrigerant to supply to the evaporator coil based on the load, it removes moisture and water to prevent corrosion to the expansion valve and filters debris and contaminants in the refrigerant cycle to avoid clogging the A/C system. To help customers understand it easily, we often call it a filter or gas filter. Some aftermarket subcool condensers have smaller desiccant bag (receiver dryer), therefore regularly replacing the receiver dryer can prevent severe failures and costly replacement of other components in the A/C system.

It is recommended to replace receiver dryer once every *20,000~30,000km

Note: Some newer models have a receiver dryer built in the condenser and can't be removed. When A/C has failed, replacement of condenser is recommended.

The expansion valve causes rapid refrigerant expansion by injecting high-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant through a small orifice, in effect creating a low-temperature, low-pressure mist refrigerant. It adjusts the refrigerant quantity according to the state of refrigerant vaporization in the evaporator. As a result, conditions are maintained under which liquid refrigerant takes heat from the surrounding air so that refrigerant is continuously evaporated at the evaporator outlet.

Evaporator is a heat exchanger that cools the air in the passenger compartment when the refrigerant is vaporised, it vaporises the low-pressure and low-temperature refrigerant. When vaporising the refrigerant, a large amount of heat is required which the evaporator absorbs from the warm air passing over the evaporator fins, thus cooling the passenger compartment. All liquid changes into gas and flows to the compressor. The process is then repeated. People often call it cooling coil.

A cabin air filter processes the air that enters the passenger compartment via the vehicle’s heating and air conditioning system, increasing passenger comfort by trapping particulates, pollen, and other irritants. It filters dust to enhance the air quality in the cabin. As it becomes saturated with dirt, airflow is reduced and it’ll take longer to cool the cabin.

It is recommended to replace it once a year or every 10,000km.

Some models(e.g. Viva, D-Max, Triton, Innova, Hilux, BR-V, Avanza) may not have cabin air filter, we recommend evaporator cleaning and install a new cabin filter with a cover.