How to Cool down a Hot Car Quickly: Experts Share Must-Know Tricks for Even the Hottest of Days
Plus, steps you can take to keep your car's interior from feeling like an oven!
Whether you’re out running errands on a hot day or have embarked on a road trip, few things are more annoying than coming back to a car that’s unbearably stuffy inside. But when you’re in a rush, you don’t always have time to wait for things to become more pleasant. Thankfully, there are a number of tricks that can make the interior more comfortable in no time. Below, experts share how to quickly cool down a hot car, plus tips to prevent overheating in the first place.
Aim the A/C low
Using your car’s air conditioning feature will certainly make a car’s interior more comfortable, but on particularly hot days, that process can take a while. The key to speeding up the cooling process comes down to how you run the A/C. Experts have their own suggestions on the best way to do so.
Auto care expert Pallavi Gorrepati, executive vice president of Xpress Pro Tire & Auto, suggests leveraging the power of ventilation. She says first you’ll want to roll down the passenger side window and open all of your car’s doors and windows to create a draft.
“Then, turn on your car’s air conditioner and set it to the coldest setting with the air directed towards the floor,” she shares. “The floor is usually cooler, so this method helps draw cooler air through the cabin more effectively.” Also smart: Once things start to cool down, switch to “recirculate” mode to keep the air conditioner from pulling in hot air from outside.
Create a vacuum effect
If your car is still quite hot but not unbearable, there’s another trick you can try! To do: Turn on the A/C, then crack your back windows an inch while leaving the front ones closed, suggests car pro Lauren Fix. This creates a vacuum that sucks cold air to the back, pushing hot air out the windows and helping your car cool twice as quickly.
Start driving
Knowing how to quickly cool down a hot car is key during a hot wave. One method that works particularly well is to start the car and get it back on the road quickly if at all possible. The movement can make a big difference! (Find out how driving your car can also make you money!)
“A car’s air conditioning works much better when you’re actually driving because the faster the engine turns, the faster the AC compressor runs, which lets the system cool more effectively,” explains Mike Quincy, a car expert for consumer reports, in the video below.
Using this method, you’ll want to start driving, turn on your A/C and open all of the windows for 15 seconds. Then crank up the fan and roll up only the front windows (leaving the back cracked), per the method above.
Use a portable fan
If you have passengers in the back seats of your vehicle, they may not get to enjoy the cool air as fast as those up front (especially if you have a weaker air conditioning system). In this case, you can still make sure they’re as comfortable as possible.
“A portable fan can also be quite helpful,” suggests Alan Gelfand, owner of German Car Depot. Some models are designed to hang from the back of the headrest, and offer enough power to give passengers a pleasant breeze.
See how one interior car fan works in the video below:
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How to keep a car from getting too hot
One of the most important ways to avoid an overly hot car in the summer is to focus on prevention! There are many steps you can take to keep the interior from feeling like an oven.
First, park in the shade or a covered area whenever possible. “Leaving your car in direct sunlight without any shade can cause damage to the A/C,” cautions Gelfand. “The freon might leak due to the heat-induced pressure build-up. Plus, parking in shaded areas helps protect your car’s engine from sun damage and prevents the interiors from fading.”
Can’t find a shady area in the parking lot? Opt for reflective sunshades that can be placed on your windshield and side door windows. “These shades block a significant amount of solar heat, and we’ve seen them lower interior temperatures by as much as 30 degrees,” says Gorrepati.
Solar-powered fans are also great for avoiding a build up of hot air. “They ventilate your car while it’s parked to help it stay cool while you’re out and about,” adds Gorrepati.
Finally, minimize the amount of items you’re bringing along in your vehicle. While it won’t necessarily make a difference for a parked car, this helps guarantee that the vehicle’s engine doesn’t have to work too hard when you are on the road on a hot day.
“Keep your car clean and clutter-free, ensuring that you don’t channel power toward hauling unnecessary weight,” says Jamie Jones, manager of Luxury & Electric Brands at Chase Auto at JPMorgan Chase & Co. “Cutting back by just a few pounds can have a positive effect.” If the engine isn’t getting overheated, your car will work better at running officially and keeping you cool when the A/C is blasting.
With all of these tips, you can ensure your car stays comfortable and in top-condition throughout the summer!
For more summer tips, keep reading!
“I’m on a Quest To Visit Every National Park — Here’s What I’ve Learned”
3 Ways to Declutter Your Home for Summer! Plus the Importance of Having a Clean Space
Dermatologists Share the Summer Skin Care Routine That Keeps Skin Looking Youthful and Glowing
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