Don’t Just Switch On the Car’s Air Conditioning at Random – Here’s How to Cool the Cabin Properly

Cars that have been parked in direct sun for a long time usually see cabin temperatures rise dramatically. When they are used again, drivers typically switch on the air conditioning to the coldest setting with maximum fan in order to cool the cabin quickly. It turns out this habit is not advised as it can overburden the vehicle’s cooling system. ‘If a car has been parked in a hot place, you should not immediately switch on the air conditioning to maximum. Open the doors or windows briefly to let the hot air escape, then switch on the air conditioning.’ Gunawan told Kompas.com on Tuesday (3/3/2026). Gunawan explains that a cabin temperature that is too high causes the AC compressor to work harder to lower the temperature quickly. If set directly to the coldest level, the compressor’s workload becomes heavier. The recommended step is to turn on the AC gradually. After the hot air has left the cabin, the driver can turn on the AC with the blower set to medium first, then gradually lower the temperature to reach a comfortable level. Additionally, cabin cooling can feel faster because the hot air has already left the car. Gunawan also suggests that drivers utilise the fresh air mode in the initial stage of AC use. This mode allows outside air to enter the cabin to help replace the trapped hot air. ‘Once the cabin temperature starts to fall, you can switch back to recirculation mode so that cooling is more maximal,’ he said. With these simple steps, the AC system does not need to work too hard when cooling the cabin. Besides keeping components durable, driving comfort can also be achieved more quickly, especially on long journeys such as mudik.