How to Cool Down a Car Cabin in Hot Weather: Don't Immediately Turn the AC to Maximum

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The recent hot weather in several regions has led many drivers to immediately turn on their car AC to the coldest setting upon entering the vehicle.

Apparently, this habit is considered less than ideal. According to Gunawan, the owner of Premium99 AC, it makes the cooling system work harder, especially when the temperature inside the car is very high due to parking under the hot sun.

He suggests that drivers should not immediately turn the AC to the maximum level as soon as they enter a hot car.

Gunawan explains that a better initial step is to open the car windows for a few moments to allow the hot air in the cabin to escape. After that, turn on the AC gradually while the car starts moving.

According to him, good air circulation will help the cooling process more quickly than forcing the AC to work at maximum capacity from the start.

“You can start with the blower on medium and direct the mode to fresh air for a few minutes to allow the hot air to escape. After the cabin temperature starts to drop, then use recirculation mode for more optimal cooling,” he said.

In addition, drivers are also advised not to immediately set the temperature to the lowest level. This is because an extreme temperature difference does not always make the cabin cool down faster.

Gunawan says that the condition of the cabin filter and evaporator also significantly affects the cooling performance, especially in hot weather. If the filter is dirty, the airflow is blocked, making the AC feel less cold even though it is set to maximum.

“Sometimes people think the refrigerant is low because the AC is not cold during the day, but it could be that the cabin filter is dirty or the condenser is starting to get covered in dust,” said Gunawan.

He also suggests using window film with good heat-rejection capabilities to reduce the AC’s workload.

With a cabin temperature that is not too high, the cooling process becomes faster and fuel consumption can be more efficient.

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