Summer is well and truly on its way, with temperatures in some parts of the UK set to hit 28°C this week. As many of us start planning to make the most of the weather with BBQs, spending lunch breaks outside or days out with the kids, the sudden heat can cause one particular headache…hot car interiors.

As most car interiors are black or leather, they can quickly become hot to the touch and even worse to sit in, particularly when parked in the sunshine all day.

Car leasing experts at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts have revealed their top tips for keeping your car cool during the UK’s extreme temperatures this week, as well as warning against a common mistake most drivers make.

Experts reveal you SHOULDN’T turn on the A/C as soon as you get in your car

Did you know that if you just jump into a boiling car, blasting the A/C immediately isn’t actually the most efficient move? Director of Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, Keith Hawes, explains: “If you turn on your aircon full blast as soon as you get into your vehicle, you’re essentially fighting against superheated air, the system has to work overtime trying to cool down the interior air trapped inside the car.

The heat from your dashboard, seats, and steering wheel radiates heat back into the air, so the A/C struggles because the inside air keeps reheating itself faster than the A/C can cool it. Most people also accidentally leave their A/C set to recirculate mode, which means, at first, this traps the hottest air and just keeps pushing it around inside, cooling it very slowly.

What you want initially is fresh, cooler outside air to replace the oven-like air inside. So you should always open the doors and windows for approximately 30-60 seconds to allow the trapped hot air to escape first.”

How to cool your car down quickly
Open the doors and windows first (for 30-60 seconds) – This lets the worst of the trapped hot air escape before you even turn the car fully on. Hot air naturally wants out, and just a quick “air dump” can make a big difference to the temperature of your vehicle.
Start driving with windows down – Get moving and keep the windows down for about a minute, this forces even more hot air out while fresh air rushes in.
Turn A/C on – But ensure it’s set to “fresh air” mode (not recirculate), this will blow cold air into the car without recycling the leftover hot air from the interior.
After a minute or two, switch to “recirculate” mode – Now that you’ve flushed out the hot air, recirculating the inside air (which is now cooler) will make cooling much faster and more efficient.
Aim the vents at your lower body – Point vents down toward your chest and lap, as cooling the core of your body helps you feel comfortable faster.