Air conditioning is not only a comfort feature for hot days. It also helps keep windows clear, supports cabin air quality and makes longer drives much less tiring.
If cooling becomes weak, the system starts making unusual noise or an unpleasant smell comes from the vents, the climate system should be checked. Sometimes the cause is only a dirty filter, while in other cases it is refrigerant loss or another fault.
A common mistake is waiting until the system barely cools at all. Early inspection helps prevent a smaller service need from turning into a more expensive repair.
A good habit is to have the climate system checked before the warm season and record that work in the maintenance history. That way you know later when it was last cleaned or serviced.