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How to Use Your Car A/C Efficiently During a UK Heatwave

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Driver’s view of a Volkswagen dashboard with digital displays and Air Conditioning System

Tips for keeping your car cool: As temperatures are set to rise across the UK this spring and summer, we reveal how to use your A/C efficiently

Close-up of a car’s dashboard air vents with visual airflow lines, showing vehicle air conditioning system and in-car climate control technology

Why Efficient A/C Use Matters

You Shouldn’t Turn on The A/C As Soon as You Get in Your Car

If you turn on your aircon full blast as soon as you get into your vehicle, you're essentially fighting against superheated air, the system has to work overtime trying to cool down the interior air trapped inside the car.

The heat from your dashboard, seats, and steering wheel radiates heat back into the air, so the A/C struggles because the inside air keeps reheating itself faster than the A/C can cool it. Most people also accidentally leave their A/C set to recirculate mode, which means, at first, this traps the hottest air and just keeps pushing it around inside, cooling it very slowly.

What you want initially is fresh, cooler outside air to replace the oven-like air inside. So you should always open the doors and windows for approximately 30-60 seconds to allow the trapped hot air to escape first.

Keith Hawes Headshot
Director - Nationwide Vehicle Contracts

How to Cool Your Car Down Quickly

Extra Tips for Keeping Your Car Cool

When to Service Your A/C System

Conclusion

Photo of Fergus

About the Author: Fergus Gray

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