Air conditioning in the car: Wrong frugality can become a risk

Created: 05/12/2022, 08:12

By: Sebastian Oppenheimer

Without air conditioning, driving in summer can be a pain.

But when it comes to cooling the interior, you should pay attention to a few things.

Munich – Driving a car is currently quite expensive.

The high fuel prices are a particular burden on the wallets of frequent drivers, when buying a new car there are currently fewer discounts than they have been for a long time - and there is also a risk of a price increase in maintenance costs in the near future.

Now that the temperatures are slowly rising again, the air conditioning is being used more – but doing without it to save money and preferring to drive in an overheated car can be dangerous.

But there are some other tips for using the air conditioner:

When using the air conditioning in the car, you should pay attention to a few things.

(Iconic image) © Franziska Kraufmann/dpa

Tips for using the air conditioning in the car - First of all, air it

Anyone who has parked the car in the blazing sun should make it as easy as possible for the air conditioning to start driving.

Ideally, when the vehicle is stationary, you should open all doors and flaps to get rid of the accumulated heat.

If necessary, this can also be done while driving with the windows open.

If the inside and outside temperature have equalized but are still too high, the air conditioning is first set to recirculation in order to reach the set values ​​quickly and efficiently.

Only then is hot air to be cooled from the outside used again. 

Tips for using the air conditioner in the car – Avoid catching cold

If the system is switched on, the air outlet nozzles should only be directed towards clothed parts of the body.

If the air, which can be up to four degrees cold, hits bare skin directly, there is a risk of colds and muscle strains.

In general, the difference to the outside temperature should not be too great.

Otherwise there is a risk of heat shock when getting out.

Experts advise a maximum difference of six degrees. 

Tips for using the air conditioning in the car - if it stinks, go to the service

Many car workshops offer air conditioning checks at the beginning of the warm season.

In newer cars with a perfectly functioning system, you can usually save yourself that.

The vehicle manufacturers themselves usually only recommend a check in the maintenance specifications when the cooling capacity decreases.

But there is another case in which it is worth consulting an expert: if the air vents smell stinky, this can be due to a build-up of bacteria.

The evaporator and lines must then be cleaned and disinfected.

According to a study, cars are sometimes more contaminated with bacteria than toilet seats.

Tips for using the air conditioning in the car - turn it off in good time

Musty bacteria are also caused by condensation.

To avoid this as much as possible, you should switch off the cooling function using the A/C button shortly before the end of your journey.

However, the blower remains on.

In general, you should always pay attention to the air conditioning system: It is therefore advisable to use it occasionally in autumn.

On the one hand, it removes moisture from the air and thus prevents the windows from fogging up, on the other hand, the lubrication of the moving parts remains in good condition. 

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Tips for using the air conditioner in the car – Expect additional consumption

According to ADAC measurements, an air conditioning system consumes an extra 0.5 to 1.0 liters per 100 kilometers on an annual average.

During the cooling phase in summer use, it can sometimes be up to 4 liters.

So having the air conditioning on full power and the windows open at the same time is not a good idea.

At the same time, you shouldn't switch off the cooling completely out of false frugality.

Because a pleasant temperature in the interior is not only a feel-good factor, but also a safety factor.

Studies have shown that the driver's reaction speed decreases by 20 percent when the vehicle is very hot.