The experts at Dick Lovett explain how and when drivers should use the internal vs. external car air conditioning functions this summer after confusing weather forecasts.
The only thing Brits love more than queuing is talking about the weather – and summer 2024 has already given us plenty to talk about. Despite summer not officially beginning until Thursday 20th June, we’ve already been predicted to experience heat waves throughout the season, yet at the same time, been told to expect ‘50 days of rain’, according to the Met Office.
When the weather chops and changes, it can be pretty frustrating, especially for drivers. When it’s hot AND raining outside, car windows have a habit of steaming up, leaving drivers confused about the car air conditioning solution. Even experienced drivers might find themselves unsure of when to use the car air recirculation button or the outside air function.
To ensure a bit of rain is the only driving inconvenience Brits need to deal with this summer, Dick Lovett’s car servicing team shares some fool-proof examples of exactly how and when to use the internal vs. external car air conditioning functions. See their examples below:
- Heatwaves
When driving in summer it’s recommended that you use the internal air recirculation button to stop the cool air escaping and letting the hot air in. Similarly, hayfever sufferers will want to consider using the internal air recirculation buttons to ensure they’re not pulling in pollen particles from outside their vehicles.
However, if drivers are getting into their cars after it’s sat in the sun for some time, it’s recommended to use the external air function at first to bring new, fresh air in.
As often reported, the materials inside our cars can become slightly toxic in hot weather conditions.This is because our car interiors are made with chemicals, and sometimes these chemical compounds will be released when our interiors get used (i.e. sitting on the seats or pressing any dashboard buttons).
When cars are left sitting in the sun, the rate at which these materials release toxins exacerbates, pushing chemicals, such as formaldehyde – a preservative – into the air. If this air isn’t expelled, some drivers could experience mild nausea or headaches as a result, so it’s crucial to get some fresh air into the car before setting off.
- Rain
The unpredictable British weather means that we’re often driving from tree-splitting sunshine to monsoon-like rain, and this can quickly wreak havoc with our windscreens, causing them to fog up.
When driving in the rain, drivers should turn on the A/C and click the external air function. They’ll then want to switch their A/C unit to the windscreen function (this symbol is usually three wavy upwards-pointing arrows within a rectangle), triggering the vents at the base of the windshield to help clear any fog.
Our windscreens fog up when it rains because the warmer air inside the car holds more moisture than the colder air outside. By switching to the external air conditioning function, drivers are allowing the cooler air outside to come in and prevent fogging.
- Traffic
Another issue many drivers face during the British summertime is the increased risk of traffic, as people across the country set off on their staycations.
If drivers find themselves stuck in traffic, it’s recommended that they switch their car air conditioning functions to the internal circulation setting to prevent any exhaust fumes from surrounding cars from entering their vehicle.
- Motorway driving
Driving on motorways can feel much more tiring than driving on more scenic routes. Driving monotonous roads doesn’t require as much concentration as others, and can often cause drivers to zone out or feel tired. This phenomenon is often dubbed as ‘highway hypnosis’.
To ensure they remain alert when driving on motorways for a significant amount of time, drivers should switch their car air conditioning to the external function.
The fresh air from outside will help keep oxygen levels in the car high, which can help combat any tiredness drivers might feel.
- Smoking or vaping in the car
If drivers or one of their passengers are smoking or vaping inside the car, then they’ll want to turn on the external air circulation to help expel the smoke and keep fresh air entering the vehicle. .
While it’s not illegal to smoke while driving, there are laws against smoking with under-18s in the car. Both the driver and the smoker could be fined (if the driver isn’t the one smoking) for being caught doing this.
If, however, a driver is caught smoking without children in the car and the police deem it as a distraction, they could still be fined up to £5,000 and receive up to 9 points on their licence.
