With temperatures soaring across the UK this week, British motorists are bracing themselves for uncomfortably hot commutes. While blasting the air conditioning is the instinctive reaction for most drivers, motoring experts at the RAC have warned that many are using their systems entirely wrong and missing out on a vital dashboard control that keeps the car cooler for longer.
The control in question is the air recirculation button, typically identified by the icon of a car silhouette with a curved U-turn arrow inside it. According to official guidance from the RAC, using this button correctly can drastically accelerate how fast your vehicle cools down. However, the breakdown company notes that the secret lies not just in pressing it, but when you press it.
Common Mistake Drivers Make
Many drivers make the mistake of getting into a boiling car, winding up the windows, and immediately hitting the recirculation button. Experts warn this actually backfires, as it loops the trapped, super-heated air - which can easily exceed 40°C if parked in direct sunlight - repeatedly through the cabin.
Instead, the RAC recommends a four-step sequence to clear out the heatwave temperatures safely and efficiently.
The Four-Step Cooling Sequence
Step 1: The 'Fanning' Trick
Before even starting the engine, open both windows on one side of the vehicle. Walk to the opposite side and swing that door back and forth at least three times. This acts as a manual bellows, rapidly expelling the initial pocket of trapped hot air.
Step 2: Start with 'External Air'
Turn on the engine and set the air conditioning to its coldest setting. Crucially, ensure the system is initially set to external air (the symbol showing an arrow entering the car from the outside). At this stage, the air outside is actually cooler than the air baked inside your cabin. Keep the windows open for a few minutes while the system spools up.
Step 3: Direct Air to the Footwells
Because physics dictates that heat rises, blast the cool air straight into the footwells. This forces the residual hot air upward and out through the still-open windows.
Step 4: Hit the Recirculation Button
Once the air conditioning begins blowing consistently ice-cold, roll up all the windows and press the air recirculation button. By triggering the recirculation setting at this exact moment, you close off the outside vents. Instead of pulling in more hot air from the UK heatwave and forcing the engine to work overtime to cool it, the system recirculates the air it has already chilled.
The RAC notes that for vehicles equipped with advanced "climate control" systems, selecting 'MAX A/C' or 'LO' will often activate this feature automatically. Drivers are also reminded to stay hydrated by keeping fresh water in the vehicle at all times, as heat-induced fatigue and dehydration can severely impact concentration levels on the road.
