1. Park your car in the shade
Think ahead and park your car inside or in the shade. If you park in direct sunlight, the interior of the car will heat up quickly, so your system will have to work harder to cool the air down. When you’re looking for a place to park, also remember that the sun – and with it the shade – moves during the day. If your car is parked for a long time, that shady parking space might end up in direct sunlight after all.
If you can’t park your car in a sheltered place, it’s advisable to keep out the heat by laying a sunscreen, towel or blanket on the outside of the windscreen. That means that less heat will build up inside the car, so your AC doesn’t have to work as hard.
2. Don’t put the AC on straight away
If it’s very hot in the car, it’s best to open the windows and doors before you set off and run the ventilation system on maximum (without AC!), so that the worst of the heat can escape. If you want to leave straight away, don’t put the air conditioning on straight away. Instead, drive for a few minutes with the windows or sunroof open so that most of the heat can escape. If you put the AC on as soon as you get into a hot car, it may overburden the system so that it wears out more quickly. Bringing the temperature down first will help the AC cool the car down far more efficiently.
TIP: Direct the air vents in your car upwards when you put the air conditioning on. Hot air rises, so this is the fastest way for the cool air to blow the heat away, and the temperature will feel pleasant more quickly.
3. Be smart about using the air recirculation feature
On hot days, it might be a good idea to set your ventilation to use the air recirculation feature when the air conditioning is on. This feature recycles the cool air in the car, rather than drawing in hot air from outdoors, which helps to reduce the temperature in your car faster. That means your AC system doesn’t have to work as hard to cool the air, saving energy and putting less strain on the system. Once you have reached the desired temperature, turn the air recirculation setting back off, so that fresh air from outdoors can come into the car again.
In short: the perfect order for starting a hot car
To ensure the air conditioning works optimally, it’s best to do things in this order:
- Open the windows and doors
- Turn the ventilation system up to maximum without AC
- Drive for a few minutes with the windows or sunroof open
- Close all the windows and the sunroof, turn on the AC and direct the air vents upwards
- Select the air recirculation feature
4. Book your annual service
Your car’s air conditioning needs regular servicing as well, to guarantee it works without problems. During your annual service, your local Honda dealer will check and clean the most important parts such as the compressor, evaporator and filters. Using genuine Honda parts guarantees your air conditioning’s performance, efficiency and lifetime.
TIP: It’s smart to turn on your air conditioning for 10 minutes every week, both in summer and winter. This will increase its lifetime because it keeps all the parts running smoothly.
5. Fill up on refrigerant
It’s important to get your refrigerant topped up regularly. If the refrigerant level is too low, the AC will not perform well, and the compressor might even get damaged. Have you noticed that the AC is not blowing in cold air the way it should? Have you forgotten when your AC system was last checked? If so, make an appointment for a check-up with your Honda dealer.
6. Keep your cabin air filters clean
A clean interior and clean filters are essential to keep your car’s AC working optimally. In general, it is recommended to replace the cabin air filters once a year, but if you notice the incoming air flow is not very pleasant or that it smells strange, it’s advisable to make an appointment with your accredited Honda dealer. You can take action yourself by cleaning the inside of your car regularly to remove dirt and dust. If it builds up, it can block the air ducts and filters, preventing the air from flowing freely.
Book your service with an accredited Honda dealer
Make an appointment for servicing now with your local Honda dealer. That way you can be sure your air conditioning is working perfectly, and you can enjoy a refreshing car journey even on the hottest days of the year!
