Drivers are being urged to use a button on their dashboard that can cool down your car more efficiently than air conditioning – and it’s been described as a ‘game changer’
The scorching heatwave has finally hit this week, leaving us all sweating in the blistering hot weather.
Drivers are feeling the heat more than most, battling with the sun’s rays beaming through their windscreens while stuck in heavy traffic on a sweltering day. Considering it’s not even recommended to leave bottled water in your car during heatwaves, keeping the vehicle cool under direct sunlight can be particularly tricky.
That’s why drivers are spreading the word about a lesser-known button on the dashboard that can chill your car more effectively than air conditioning. This button, identified by a small arrow and a symbol depicting the inside of a car, is the ‘recirculate air’ button – a brilliant way to cool down your car even when the aircon is switched off, reports the Express.
As the name suggests, it blocks all external air and only recirculates the existing air within the car. Interestingly, this feature also aids hayfever sufferers as it stops fresh pollen from coming in through your vents. The logic behind this is that the air outside your car is hotter than inside. So, a quick blast of aircon will make the internal air much cooler.
You can then keep recirculating this existing air instead of replacing it with new warm air. This means you don’t necessarily need to keep the aircon running as long as your windows are closed, saving fuel along the way. UK Car Discount has revealed a car hack that’s perfect for those blistering hot days, with their spokesperson stating: “Picture this: a blazing summer day and a parked car soaking up the sun’s rays.”
“The air recirculation button comes to the rescue, offering an effective solution to expedite the cooling process. By recirculating the cool air within the cabin, this button helps create a refreshing environment almost instantly. This becomes especially invaluable during scorching weather, allowing you to enter a chilled car free from the heat. No more waiting for the air conditioning to kick in the air recirculation button has your back, ensuring you experience a swift and soothing transition from the outside heat.”
“It works by recirculating the cool air you get from your A/C when you first turn it on. The longer it’s on for, the cooler your vehicle will get! If you don’t use it, the car will use the air from the outside that is a lot warmer, and your A/C will work harder and continuously to cool the hot air.”
Support for the tip comes from the RAC too, who say: “Once 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. More advanced ‘climate control’ air-conditioning systems allow you to set and maintain a constant temperature within the car.”
