As a bitter winter chill grips the nation, a former car salesman has shared a clever trick to banish the cold from your vehicle rapidly. His expert advice centres on one often-overlooked button that can significantly speed up the heating process, ensuring you're warm and comfortable in just minutes.
The Step-by-Step Guide to a Quick Warm-Up
The driving enthusiast, known online as 'Capturing Cars', took to TikTok to demonstrate his method. He stressed that the first action is straightforward: turn your car's temperature dial to the maximum setting. This applies whether you have dual-zone climate control or a single central dial.
Next, he advises setting the fan speed to a medium level. Crucially, you should then adjust the air direction settings to blow the air inside the cabin, typically by selecting the button with an icon of a person and arrows pointing towards them. This focuses the warm air on you and your passengers directly.
The Secret Weapon: The Recirculation Button
The most vital step, according to the expert, involves a button many drivers rarely use. He recommends pressing the air recirculation button, which usually shows a symbol of a car with a curved arrow inside. In some vehicles, this might be a slider switch.
By activating this function, you stop your car from constantly pulling in freezing air from outside. Instead, it recirculates the warm air already inside the cabin, allowing the temperature to build up much more efficiently. The ex-salesman suggests keeping this on for at least the first five to ten minutes after starting your journey.
An Unexpected Ally: Your Air Conditioning
In a surprising final tip, he urges drivers to also switch on their air conditioning. While most people associate the AC solely with summer cooling, it is a highly effective tool for winter too. The system helps to dehumidify the air, which can clear condensation and frost from windows faster and contribute to a more efficient heating process overall.
Once the interior of your car has reached a comfortable temperature, remember to switch off the recirculation function to allow fresh air to circulate and prevent the windows from fogging up. This simple, three-step process could be the key to transforming your icy morning commute into a warm and pleasant drive.
