Follow these 7 tips to ensure your car's AC performs at optimal level

Nw Delhi: Across the country, the heat is displaying its fierce intensity. In many cities, temperatures have soared to nearly 50 degrees Celsius. Outside, scorching hot winds are blowing. Under these circumstances, if you are traveling by car, it is absolutely essential that your air conditioner (AC) is functioning properly. However, the AC sometimes fails to cool the car effectively—often due to a lack of maintenance or improper usage. In such cases, alongside ensuring proper cooling performance, it becomes necessary to clean the AC fins and lines. This type of issue becomes particularly common when dealing with older cars. Therefore, we are sharing some tips on how to use your car's AC correctly.

How to Vent Out Hot Air?

If your car is parked in a spot where it is exposed to direct sunlight, the interior will inevitably begin to heat up. Consequently, before using the vehicle, it is crucial to normalize the internal temperature. To do this, open all the car doors. Next, turn on the car's blower fan. This will help expel the hot air trapped inside. Once the hot air has been vented, close the doors and then switch on the AC. Also, keep in mind that it takes a little time for the AC to start blowing cool air.

Should We Keep Windows Slightly Ajar?

During the summer months, if your car is parked in the sun, you should leave one or two windows slightly open—about half an inch. If your car is equipped with rain visors on the doors, the fact that the windows are open will not even be noticeable. The advantage of this practice is that any heat building up inside the car will escape through these open windows. In essence, these slightly open windows act as a ventilation system for the vehicle. This prevents excessive heat accumulation inside the cabin and helps keep the temperature of the seats at a comfortable, normal level.

Is it Advisable to Close the Fresh Air Intake?

Cars typically feature two distinct air intake points: one for drawing in fresh air from the outside, and another for recirculating the air already present inside the cabin. During the summer season, you should close the intake point that draws air from the outside. This is essential because if the AC is running inside the car, the external intake point will draw in hot outside air along with the fresh air. This influx of hot air compromises the cooling efficiency of the AC and reduces the overall cooling effect inside the car. Therefore, always keep a close watch on this specific point.

How to Use the Multi-Air Supply Knob?

Car AC systems feature a multi-air transfer knob. This means that the airflow is directed not only towards the front but also towards the footwells and throughout the cabin. You should utilize this feature. Doing so allows the cool air to circulate throughout the car, cooling the interior much faster. Once the car has cooled down, you can then set the airflow to a specific direction of your choice. Keep in mind that the cooling efficiency of a car's AC typically diminishes by 15% or more each year. Consequently, it is essential to have your AC serviced every five years.

Vacuum the AC Vents?

Use a vacuum cleaner to thoroughly clean all the AC vents and outlets within the car. Dust often tends to accumulate at these points. If this dust finds its way into the air ducts, it can obstruct the airflow channels. As a result, the volume of air flowing from the AC decreases. Therefore, whenever you clean your car, make sure to vacuum the air conditioner vents as well. The cleaner the ducts remain, the better the airflow will be.

Should We Use Sun Visors?

During the summer season, you should always use sun visors. This offers two distinct advantages. First, when sun visors are placed on all the windows, they prevent direct sunlight from entering the car, thereby keeping the interior from overheating. Second, using sun visors enhances the overall efficiency of the AC system. Sun visors should also be placed on the rear windshield of the car. The market offers a variety of options, ranging from static-cling visors that adhere directly to the glass to visors that attach securely to the door frames. You may also opt to use curtains.

How to Ensure All Windows Are Properly Closed and Locked?

Whenever the car's AC is running while you are driving, ensure that all the windows are properly closed. To guarantee this, you should check each window and lock it securely. Often, during hot weather, we might crack a window open slightly for ventilation and subsequently forget to close it completely. Additionally, passengers seated in the rear of the car may open a window for some purpose but fail to close it properly afterward. In such instances, the cool air generated by the AC escapes from the cabin.