How to Quickly Cool a Hot Car - Vol.317
Climbing into a car in the dead of winter can be extremely uncomfortable, but it does not compare to the sensation of sitting in a car that has been roasting in the summer sun all day. The summer months can be a very rough time for anyone trying to remain to cool. If your car is painted a dark color, this is probably especially problematic to you. Just about everyone hates this feeling, but steps can be taken to remedy it quickly and then prevent it in the future.
Roll Down the Windows
The first step that should be taken is to roll down any windows that can be opened. This will allow natural outside air to flow through the car and push out the hot air. The outside air is likely not cool either so this must be accompanied by more steps. Make sure to leave the windows down for the first few minutes of your trip. Driving with the windows down is one of the fastest ways to force hot air out. It should only take a couple of minutes before you can comfortably roll them back up and rely solely on the air conditioner.
Turn On the Air Conditioner
The next thing that should be done is the air conditioning should be turned on. Crank the AC to full power while leaving the windows down for a brief period of time to quickly shove out the unwanted hot air. Make sure the air conditioner is set to pull from the outside and not recirculate what is inside. A common mistake people make is turning it on recirculate because they believe it will cool the air faster. This in reality takes it longer to cool down because of how hot the air inside the car is compared to outside.
Use Recirculate
Now that the car has gotten to a point where the air conditioner is cooling the air to a comfortable temperature, you can turn on your recirculate setting. This setting takes air from in the car and recirculates it through the air conditioner. This recirculation process allows the air to reach much colder temperatures.
Prevent the Problem in the Future
There are several effective methods you can employ to avoid this problem in the future. Sunshades are an invaluable tool for keeping your car from getting too hot. A sunshade is designed to cover the windshield and block sunrays from getting in. Even though it only covers the front glass, it can make a noticeable difference when it comes to the temperature inside your car. They are great for keeping the steering wheel and gear shift cool enough to touch. Sunshades are simple to install and affordable on practically any budget. All you do is simply unfold the sunshade in your car, slide it into place at the bottom and top of the windshield, fit it behind the rearview mirror, and use your visors or suction cups to hold it in place. They are light weight and can be quickly put in wherever you may be parking your car.
You can also leave your windows slightly cracked. Since science has taught us that heat rises, leaving your windows cracked provides a way for the hot air to escape. When you use this method, make certain not to roll your window down too far. Rolling the window down too far will attract unwanted attention from thieves. Keep the window rolled up enough that someone cannot slip their hand in and be sure to set your car's alarm if it has one.
The summer heat can lead to some rather uncomfortable car rides, but it is manageable if the proper steps are taken. Prevent the heat from becoming too much when possible and remedy the situation when it does occur. You do not have to sit in a hot box if you do not want to.