DRIVERS are racing to cool down their sweltering cars in the summer heat, but an expert says a common problem is wasted petrol.
The expert said drivers can save money by properly timing their AC blasts.
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Tim Rodie, car expert at Motorpoint, says drivers are turning up their air conditioning too much, according to Birmingham Post Office.
He said they would save gas by just turning the knob to the correct temperature and waiting.
“Although you may be planning to have your air conditioning on full blast when driving in the summer, this can really eat up your gas,” he said.
Air conditioners in cars do not cool a space faster if the temperature is below the target temperature.
He said the only setting that will cool a car faster is the fan speed selector.
Rodie added that an air conditioning unit is more efficient on the road.
In fact, he suggested that drivers will use less gas on the highway if they close their windows and turn on the air conditioning.
“Drivers who want to take longer to fill up may think that just opening the windows is an obvious alternative,” he said.
“But at higher speeds, this can make your car less aerodynamic, which means you will use more fuel.”
Instead, Rodie suggests opening the windows when the vehicle is at lower speeds and turning on the air at higher speeds.
Rodie also said drivers should not treat air conditioning units as car heating.
In winter, cars heat up the interior quickly when they are idling and the heating is turned on.
However, in the summer, an AC unit doesn’t cool the interior as effectively when the car sits idle.
Rodie said trying to cool a vehicle remotely isn’t just inefficient — it’s a huge theft risk.
Expert Advice on Preparing Your Car for Summer
Dustin Piggot, a service manager at a Subaru dealership with years of technical experience, told The US Sun in an exclusive interview what items drivers should have checked before temperatures soared:
- Perform a multipoint inspection. A paid inspection will ask a technician to check vital systems like your brakes, power steering, and front and rear suspension for leaks or defects. They will also test the condition of the battery and check vital fluid levels and conditions.
- Refrigeration system. Before things get hot, drivers should have their cooling system inspected for proper coolant levels and condition, evaluate radiator hoses, and check the radiator.
- Check your air conditioning system. If the freon is low and needs to be charged or parts need to be replaced, it is essential to resolve the problem before the temperature rises.
- Make sure your tires are suitable for warmer climates. If you live in a climate that requires a dedicated winter tire, switch to all-season or summer tires if possible to extend the life of your winter tire. Winter tires are softer and wear out much more quickly in warmer climates.
- Observe the depth of the tread. Tires with low tread depth will make it more difficult to stop your car if you need to avoid an accident.
- Give your car some TLC. Before it gets too hot, Piggott says it’s important to give your car a good cleaning to remove winter grime and grime and treat its paintwork with a nice coat of wax to protect it from harsh UV rays and high heat. Many dealerships like his offer detailing and washing services.
Read more here.
“Modern air conditioning will cool your vehicle quickly, so there’s really no need to let your car cool down before starting your trip,” he said.
“Not to mention, most car insurance policies have ‘keys in the car’ or ‘vehicle left unattended’ clauses, meaning drivers cannot make a claim if their vehicle is stolen while it is unattended with the keys inside.”
Finally, he said that drivers should pay attention to the power of the car’s air conditioning.
Cooling system resistance could indicate other engine problems, he said.
“If you notice that your air conditioner seems less powerful than usual, you should have it checked,” he said.
“You will still use fuel to power your air conditioning system even if it isn’t working properly.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
