Quick solution for sweltering summers: Eliminating hot air from your vehicle's interior
Cooling Down Your Car on Hot Summer Days: A Handy Guide
As the UK experiences an unusually hot summer, keeping your car cool and comfortable can be a challenge. Here's a simple method to quickly cool down your car's cabin using air conditioning, windows, and the recirculation button.
Step 1: Ventilate the Car
Start by opening the windows briefly to let the hot, trapped air escape. This initial ventilation helps replace the superheated air inside the car with cooler outside air quickly.
Step 2: Turn on the Air Conditioning and Recirculation Mode
Next, turn on the air conditioning and activate the recirculation mode. The recirculation button prevents hot outside air from entering and recycles the already cooled air inside, which helps your car reach a lower temperature faster and reduces strain on the A/C system.
Step 3: Adjust the Vents
Prefer using lower air vents and close upper vents to help push hot air upwards and out through the open windows during the initial ventilation phase or when windows are opened slightly.
Additional Tips
- If you own an electric vehicle, preconditioning the cabin while the car is still plugged in can cool the interior without draining the battery.
- Using recirculation is especially helpful when stuck in traffic, as it reduces intake of polluted outside air by about 20%.
- In polluted areas, using AC recirculation can maintain a higher air quality inside the car.
In summary, the quickest cooling sequence is: start by opening windows to expel hot air, then switch on A/C with recirculation mode engaged to keep the cooler air circulating inside the car, enhancing the cooling efficiency. This method helps to evacuate hot, stale air from the car more quickly.
Remember, staying hydrated and applying sun cream are essential for traveling during hot weather, and it is not suitable for demisting the windscreen, as air from inside the car is likely to be more moist.
This guide was inspired by the advice of vehicle designer Nir Kahn, who suggests this clever method to cool down a car's cabin on hot summer days. Drive safely and stay cool!
- During hot summer days, the method of rapidly cooling down a convertible's cabin can be similar, but remember to secure the top before ventilating and turning on the air conditioning.
- For EV owners, incorporating 'home-and-garden' lifestyle hacks can help manage car maintenance; for example, pre-cooling the car's cabin while it is charging at home can prevent battery drain.
- As you delve into the world of motoring, remember that weather conditions like heavy rain or snow may require adjustments to the cooling sequence – vital information for maintaining vehicle performance during harsh weather.
- In the future, as we shift towards more electric vehicles and sustainable lifestyles, implementing efficient cooling methods will play a significant role in shaping our overall car driving experience and impact on the environment.
