Guide: How to properly cool your car: These 7 mistakes threaten you when adjusting the air conditioner

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In the summer heat, nothing can replace air conditioning in the car. Also in terms of safety: At 35 degrees, a person reacts as slowly as 0.5 per thousand in blood. But the air conditioner in the car is often turned on incorrectly. Here are the most common mistakes:

1. Leave windows open

Ventilation at the beginning greatly helps the air conditioner reach the target temperature – but then please close the windows and sunroof. And quite! Only then can the air conditioner be arranged correctly. In addition, an open window is as much a consumption factor as wasted cooling air.

2. The temperature is too low

It’s like a heating thermostat with a fully automatic: A lower temperature setting will not provide faster cooling in most cars. For maximum cooling it is better to briefly press the button (usually «A/C max»). When the weather cools, return to the “Auto” position and stay at 18, or rather 20 to 22 degrees. Because if the outside temperature difference is too large, the changes become more stressful.

3. Direct airflow towards the body

The air flow should be evenly distributed (eg outer nozzles down, middle nozzles up) and not directed towards the windows – because they weaken the cooling effect. Please don’t point it at the body either: supercooling the body surface can help cold viruses do their cold job. There is also a risk of tension and headaches.

4. Not knowing the mods

Newer air conditioning systems usually offer three automatic modes, and these can usually be set by pressing the “Auto” button (regardless of whether it’s a button or screen) or in the infotainment system: light, medium, strong. Unfortunately, this is often unknown – and for example, in summer the most draughty, weak mode is not enough against the heat. Therefore, refer to the operating instructions of the air conditioning system or the settings menu.

5. Manually make too many adjustments

It is no different than manual air conditioners. But the usual automatic is literally there to work automatically. As a rule, it distributes and heats the air better and faster than if you mix it by hand.

6. Do not use circulating air

Older cars with manual air conditioning in particular often cool more effectively if you let them run in the air recirculation position at startup. But just as when using it in a tunnel against bad odors, the following applies: After that, move it back to fresh air, especially when it rains, otherwise the windows can easily fog up.

7. Always run the air conditioning compressor

When the heat wave ends, when it drops below about 20 degrees, fresh air is usually sufficient instead of cooled air. Many new cars automatically switch to “Eco” mode, but older models in particular must be turned off at the push of a button or from the onboard “A/C” system (i.e. air conditioning compressor) – this saves fuel! However: Use the air conditioner once a month to keep it in shape.

Source: Blick