Brits have seen the mercury dip of late, with many encountering the season’s first snowfalls, sparking excitement for a potential white Christmas, yet frustrating others who’d rather jet off to sunnier climes.
The gurus at the TikTok channel @capturing_cars posed the question to their followers about whether they “heat their car correctly,” eager to spread their wisdom for those shivering on their morning commute.
Starting with the basics, the expert asserted: “Of course, the first thing you want to do is turn the temperature up. Whatever type of air conditioning you’ve got, turn it up to full and turn the fans up a bit as well.” Delving into specifics, he added: “Next thing you wanna do is hit this button here,” as he demonstrated pressing a dash-mounted button depicting a car with an arrow.
This action, he clarified: “What this is doing is shutting off the vents to the outside of the car and recirculating the air that’s in the car.” Providing further insight into this feature, he revealed with each cycle of air within the car, it grows progressively warmer, fostering a faster heating process.
Conversely, if this setting is disabled, you’re merely importing outside chill into the vehicle and attempting the futile task of warming it.
He tackled a prevalent myth head-on, stating emphatically that “air conditioning is just for hot weather” is ‘false’, insisting it “literally does what it says on the tin”.
The expert simplified the issue, stating: “Air conditioning ‘conditions the air, no matter what the temperature may be.”
Offering further guidance, he said: “So, air conditioning on, this button on, temperature up, and adjust your fans accordingly, and that is the best way to heat your car this winter.”
Contributing to the conversation, one person posted: “I had no idea AC worked to warm too!”
Another individual was quick to rectify the statement: “It doesn’t. It removes heat from the cabin and sends it outside. Only use it during the winter if you have humidity or moisture buildup.”
Adding to the tips, a car enthusiast remarked: “Also, putting your visors down will defrost your windshield faster, it stops the air from blowing straight to the back and traps (somewhat) at the front.”