If you’re dreading the thought of sweating in your vehicle during a long journey in the current heatwave, the RAC suggests pressing one button in order to keep cooler for longer
You can stay cooler for longer on long journeys by pressing one button in your vehicle (stock)(Image: bymuratdeniz/iStock via Getty Images)
Driving long distances can feel like a chore at the best of times, and journeys can feel even more daunting during the sort of high temperatures we are experiencing right now. Thankfully, however, the RAC has shared advice on how to keep your vehicle cooler for longer, simply by pressing one button on your travels.
“The summer months are perfect for road trips, holidays and trips to the beach,” the breakdown company states online. “However, heatwaves and hot temperatures can also transform the interior of your car into an oven and cause a range of mechanical problems.”
Whilst some tips are relatively straightforward – such as parking in shaded spots and covering any leather seats with a blanket, there may be other tricks for the hot journey you hadn’t thought of.
Indeed, prior to setting off, the RAC suggests opening both windows on one side of the car, then ‘fanning’ the interior by swinging a door on the opposite side back and forth.
“Providing you’re not worried about potentially looking a bit weird, repeat this open-close motion at least three times to help expel the hot air,” the RAC says. “Leave the sunroof shut if the car is parked outside in sunlight.”
Next is the crucial part, meanwhile, and it involves starting your engine and switching the air conditioning to its coldest setting.
“If your car offers the option, select the ‘external’ air setting (the symbol on the switch usually shows an arrow entering the car), rather than air recirculation (a circular arrow),” the RAC continues online.
“The air outside the car will be cooler at this point. Open all remaining windows, as the air-con system will take a few minutes to become effective.”
As heat rises, it is most beneficial to use the air vents to blast the air-conditioned air towards the footwells, which will force the hot air already inside the car upwards and out of the open windows.
The RAC goes on: “Shut off the upper vents on the dashboard and at the base of the windscreen so that the full flow of air into the car is directed upwards. As the car begins to cool, slowly close the windows to ensure the cool air stays inside the cabin.”
If your vehicle doesn’t have air conditioning then keep the windows open to circulate air inside the cabin, the RAC recommends. “You should also keep the fans switch on and set to the coolest setting to improve ventilation,” they add.
Finally, when the air conditioning is blowing cold, close all the windows and switch to (pre-cooled) recirculated air. “You can now open the upper air vents and adjust the flow as required,” the RAC says. “More advanced ‘climate control’ air-conditioning systems allow you to set and maintain a constant temperature within the car.”
The advice is echoed by Capturing Cars, who shares driving advice on social media. “The recirculation button essentially shuts off the vents to the outside of the car, trapping the air in it,” they explained in a TikTok video.
Capturing Cars continued: “Let’s assume it’s really hot outside and you have turned your air conditioning to cold. Pressing the button will make it colder on each pass. If you don’t have it on, you are bringing in boiling hot air from outside and trying to make it cold, which will take longer.”
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