Five ways how to operate your air conditioning in your car better in typical hot and chilly Dutch weather?
The air conditioning is a nice invention to keep all passengers cool, but many air conditioning users use the system in the wrong way. It often goes wrong with the methods below and what should you do instead?:
What would we do without the air conditioning in our car? The generations older than 40 years probably still know how they drove together to ‘the South’ as a family on holiday without air conditioning. Open windows and sweating across "highway to the sun" up to the campsite. That was wonderful with the radio on, playing that characteristic 60-70-80’s sound.
However, we can no longer imagine that.
The air conditioning is a nice invention to keep all passengers cool, but many air conditioning users use the system the wrong way. It often goes wrong with the methods below and what should you do instead?:
- Get in the car and switch on the air conditioning fully!
No, it is really better to first open the doors and windows before you turn on the air conditioning. In this way the super-heated air in the car, which often exceeds 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), can leave the car first. It is also good to open windows and / or doors on a warm day before departure, so that the air in the car is not warmer than the outside air.
Once the car is well ventilated, you can get in, close the doors and windows and switch on the air conditioning and use the least energy for cooling. - Keep the "interior air recirculation" switched on
It is indeed useful to switch on internal recirculation for the first few minutes, because then the air conditioning does not have to continuously cool the warm outside air, which costs more energy and takes longer than first cooling the limited amount of indoor air. But after maximum 5 minutes you really have to put the ventilation system of your car on the stand with the supply of outside air. As a result, the system will distribute the airflow more evenly and efficiently and you will keep fresh air that does not become too dry. - Do not switch on the air conditioning in the morning, because it is still too cold
When it is cool in the morning, which is common in the Netherlands, and you are driving alone or with a few people for minimal 15 minutes in your car, it is wise to switch on the air conditioning immediately. Otherwise your windows will quickly fog up because the water vapor present in the indoor air then covers the slightly colder windows. - Focus the outflow openings fully on the face and occupants
'Turn the temperature down a little, I feel nothing at all', is a frequently heard complaint from passengers in your car during summer. But this is the recipe for getting a cold. It is much better to let the air conditioning flow through the side blowers and through the windows upwards and not full on the face and chest of yourself and your passengers.
Now the air circulates nicely through the interior of your car and the coolness reaches every passenger. In addition: inside heated air rises. That is why it is wise to point the openings upwards so that cooling is done as quickly as possible. - No or too little maintenance
Many air conditioning systems suffer from overdue maintenance. Many car brands recommend replacing the filters after 15,000 to 20,000 kilometres to prevent reduced performance. After a few years it will also be necessary to top up the 'refrigerant'. Lack of maintenance and a lack of cleaning can also lead to bacterial fungi in your system, which in turn cause unwanted odors in your car.
Keep these rules in honour. This way you can optimally enjoy your air conditioning in your car.
We wish you lots of 'cool' driving pleasure!
LesDirect Driving School
