While the UK usually struggles to cope with extreme heat due to a lack of air conditioning in homes, most drivers can at least keep their cars cool during heatwaves.
But do you know how to keep your car cool when being shut inside is so unbearable?
The hot weather outside will see the temperature inside your car creep up, so experts have shared how you can make sure your journeys are cool.
A parked car in direct sun can quickly exceed forecast temperatures with a 30C day pushing vehicle interiors to 45-55C in under 20 minutes and, if left for longer periods, reaching up to 65C, says Simon England, the founder of GAP insurance provider ALA Insurance.
He said: “Many drivers don’t use AC correctly, so they end up just recirculating hot air through the car instead of clearing it out first.”
Drivers are often missing two key tricks, one to push out trapped heat and another to improve how quickly the AC cools the car, he explains.
How to use air conditioning correctly in your car
Simon suggests using the one-minute airflow hack, which “can make a noticeable difference after a car has been baking in direct sun.”
He says: “It sounds a bit odd, but it genuinely works better than you’d expect.
“Simply drop one rear window fully, then on the opposite side open and close the front door 8 to 10 times without slamming it.
“It helps push the hot air out and draw cooler air in.”
Anyone with an older car that doesn’t have strong air con or a recirculate option should do this trick for around three minutes to help bring the temperature down.
Why does my car take longer to cool down?
If you think your car takes too long to cool down, you might be using the recirculate button incorrectly, warns Simon.
Drivers who switch it on too early trap warm air inside, he says.
Simon shares a step-by-step guide: “Put the AC on high, aimed at your face or feet, and keep recirculate off so you’re not shifting warm air around.
How to cope with hot weather
“Drop all windows and drive to push heat out.
“After 2-3 minutes, roll the windows up and switch recirculate on and cool air will circulate as intended.”
If you don’t push out the hot air, the car can be up to 10-20C hotter inside and the cooling phase will take longer as the AC starts from a higher temperature.
George Penny, energy expert at The Solar Co, says the recirculation button should be used when the weather is hot, but that it can become a safety hazard if used for too long.
He says drivers should use it sparingly: “The air recirculation button, usually shown as a car silhouette with a U-turn arrow inside, is a game-changer on hot days.
“When you press it, the system stops pulling in hot air from outside and instead recycles the already-cooled air inside the cabin, which means the interior cools down much faster (and often in half the time).
Tips for sleeping in the heat
“However, leaving it on for extended periods can trap carbon dioxide and moisture inside the car, especially with multiple passengers.
“This can make you feel drowsy and reduce concentration, as well as fogging up your windscreen creating a safety hazard.
“The best practice is to use the recirculation button to get the car cool quickly, then switch it off after 15 to 30 minutes to bring in fresh air from outside.
“Many modern cars will automatically switch off recirculation after a set time for this very reason, but if yours doesn’t, it’s worth remembering to do it manually.”
Does a wet cloth help air conditioning work better in cars?
If you’re looking for another hack to keep your car cool this summer, Graham Conway at UK automotive firm Select Car Leasing, said a wet cloth could really help you out.
He explained: “Being in a hot car is one of the downsides of the summer if the weather is cracking the flags.
“While air con is a godsend to most, there is often a delay in drivers and passengers feeling the benefit.
“One way to speed this up is by grabbing a cloth from under the kitchen sink, dousing it in cold water, ringing it out and then placing it over your air con vents.
“You'll be surprised at the difference this simple technique can make and you will feel the effect straight away.”
Air con systems in cars remove moisture and heat from the air inside your vehicle, but when you first press the ignition button or turn your key, it has to work extra hard to cool down the hot air trapped - especially if it's been sitting in direct sunlight for hours, he explains.
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Mr Conway added: “Placing a damp, cold cloth over the vents will pre-cool any air being blown in and make the effect much more immediate.
“The material acts as a heat exchanger, cooling the air as it passes through.
“This doesn't improve the performance of the air con itself, but it will feel much better inside your vehicle and make the start of your journey more comfortable.”
Drivers should be careful not to have the cloths too wet to avoid damaging the electronics in their cars.
How do you keep your car cool during a heatwave? Tell us what works for you in the comments below.
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