A heat wave hit the UK in recent days with temperatures above 30 ° C in some areas.
The crackling sunshine is received with joy by those who have fun outdoors, but it has created uncomfortable conditions for those stuck indoors or commuting in their cars.
Although most modern cars come with air conditioning, there are a few ways you can get the most of it.
READ MORE: Health experts explain why you should turn off your fan overnight during the heat wave
John Wilmot, CEO of the LeaseLoco car leasing comparison website, revealed how some motorists misuse their air conditioning and gives his top tips on creating a cool environment in hot weather.
He said, “Turning on your air conditioning can cost you up to 10 percent additional fuel consumption. So it is important to make sure you get the most out of your air conditioner in this exceptionally hot weather. “
AC hacks for car owners
Do not pre-cool
Don’t turn your A / C on as soon as you get into your car, as this will simply circulate the hot air as the A / C tries to cool it down, warns John. Your air conditioning will work much better when you are actually driving and the engine is working harder.
Open the windows;
Instead of turning on the air conditioning when you first get into your vehicle, first lower the windows and let some of the heat escape. The air conditioning has less work to do to get your car to the desired temperature.
There are a number of things you can do to get the most out of your car’s air conditioning
(Image: BPM)
Turn on the fan
Help your air conditioner by turning up the fan to push hot air out of the car, suggests John. If you have passengers in the back seats, open the rear windows rather than the front ones as the fans push air out of the front of the car and keep the air in the rear hot and stagnant.
Set the temperature low
Setting the lowest temperature and adjusting the fan will ensure that the air conditioner works more efficiently and the air becomes less dry.
Don’t recirculate
Turn off the recirculation mode while introducing fresh cold air as this mode will move the existing hot air around the car, says John. Everyone in the front may be cool, but the air in the back of the car can get stale and hot.
Close the windows
Once you drive and turn on the air conditioning, don’t leave the windows open as you will be pumping cooled air outside and wasting fuel.
Point the nozzles up
If you point the nozzles at the roof, the cold air is distributed faster and more evenly in the car – and cools the car more effectively. When the car is full, that’s nice and cool for everyone – and not just the driver and front passenger, the expert highlights.
Use the air conditioner
If your air conditioner has an air conditioning feature, just press the button and let it do its job, regulating the fans and temperature settings to make sure your car is at the optimal temperature.
Air conditioning does not work
If your air conditioner isn’t keeping the car cool, the coolant level may be low or there may be some other underlying problem.
It’s best to take it to a garage for a look.
Refresh coolant
Nothing lasts forever, and so is AC coolant. The coolant used by the air conditioner needs to be refreshed regularly, says John, with most manufacturers recommending a refresh every two years.
Check your filters
It is worth checking your cabin air filters whenever you have the opportunity to make sure they are clean and not clogged with debris. Dirty air filters prevent optimal air flow.
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