In short, a car's air conditioning works as follows:

Compressor: The engine's energy is used to compress a refrigerant gas, increasing its pressure and temperature.

Condenser: The hot, compressed gas passes through the condenser, where it releases heat to the outside environment and turns into liquid.

Expansion valve: The refrigerant liquid passes through an expansion valve, which reduces its pressure and temperature.

Evaporator: The now cold refrigerant liquid passes through the evaporator, absorbing heat from the air inside the car and turning into gas again.

Return to the compressor: The refrigerant gas, now hotter, returns to the compressor, restarting the cycle.

The air that circulates inside the car passes through the evaporator, cooling and eliminating humidity. A fan distributes this cold air throughout the vehicle's interior.

For a more visual understanding, I recommend watching explanatory videos on the subject.

There are several tutorials available on YouTube that clearly show how each component of the automotive air conditioning system works.

Some tips for taking care of your car's air conditioning:

Perform regular maintenance: Check the refrigerant gas level, change the cabin filter and clean the system.

Use the air conditioning regularly: Sporadic use can lead to the drying out of the seals and the proliferation of bacteria.

Avoid turning on the air conditioning in very low temperatures: This can cause discomfort and increase fuel consumption.