Fall is officially beginning this weekend, and here in Northwest Arkansas, we're seeing hints of the changing seasons. We're also still having to get into blazing hot cars at the end of a sunny day. Here are some tips for improving that experience.
Normally on a hot day, most of us will step into our vehicles, turn the ignition, and immediately set the AC unit to full blast in hopes of achieving pleasant cooling relief as quickly as possible. Believe it or not, there’s a much better way to quickly and efficiently cool your car that you may have not tried yet.
When stepping into a hot vehicle and turning on the engine, setting the AC unit to about three quarters total power and slightly opening the windows will ensure that the most effective heat exchange process (the process AC units use to replace hot air with cold air) is occurring. At this point you want to make sure that your recirculation button is not engaged. You want to take in and use air from outside, which will be cooler than the air inside the vehicle. Once you’ve driven about a mile or so, roll the windows back up, and a few minutes later go ahead and engage the recirculation button. From here you can freely adjust the fan speed to preference knowing that you properly cooled down your vehicle and avoided any unnecessary strain on your AC Unit.
Now for those who don’t have access to a working AC unit, or simply want to discover more ways to keep their vehicle cool, read on for a few helpful tips. Investing in a quality car shade (usually a metallic aluminum color on one side) can help to reduce the interior temperature of your vehicle by up to 15%, a lifesaver on those hot Indian summer days. Window tinting serves to block out both UV and solar infrared waves, which will significantly reduce the deterioration and discoloration of your interior from sun damage over the years.
Finally, don't forget to park in the shade when you can -- even if it means shadow hunting.
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