Ensuring Clean Air Filters
During the colder months when temperatures drop, dry and humid weather create an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive, especially in the confined space of a car. Therefore, if the air quality inside the car is not ensured, the risk of getting the flu or respiratory infections is very high. One of the first things to do before the winter season is to check the air filters of your car’s air conditioning system.
The characters on the control panel indicate the vent button inside and next to it is the outside vent button. (Illustrative image).
In theory, air filters help prevent dust from spreading throughout the car cabin through the vents, and at the same time, they are the first line of defense to filter out harmful bacteria that are dispersed by the air conditioning system. Therefore, these filters need to be ready for operation at all times.
The most obvious sign that the air filters need to be checked is when you notice unusual signs with the car’s air conditioning system, such as a foul smell, the air conditioning not cooling, intermittent cooling, or the vents being watery… It is highly likely that the car’s air filters are too dirty, causing blockages that prevent the fan from drawing in enough air.
What is the ideal temperature?
According to experts, the temperature inside the car should not differ too much from the outside temperature as it can cause thermal shock when stepping out of the car. So whether it’s hot or cold outside, just set the temperature so that it’s not too warm in winter and not too cold in summer. The temperature difference between the inside and outside of the car should only be about 3 – 5 degrees Celsius.
At the same time, experts also advise drivers to turn off the air conditioning 3-5 minutes before getting out of the car to allow the body to acclimate to the outdoor temperature and avoid thermal shock due to environmental changes.
In newer cars, it’s easy to observe the corresponding temperature levels for adjusting the air conditioning. (Illustrative image).
For newer cars, the air conditioning temperature and the temperature inside and outside the car are almost always equipped on the car, and the driver just needs to pay attention to observe them. For older cars, there is only a cold/warm dial, so you can buy an additional battery-powered thermometer to keep in the car to monitor the temperature inside the cabin.
Start the car before turning on the air conditioner
According to experts, whether it’s hot or cold, drivers should develop the habit of turning on the air conditioner after starting the car and turning it off before turning off the engine.
The reason is that this habit will help protect the car battery’s performance over time. Because when users turn on the air conditioner while the car is not running, the battery has to power the fan and the compressor for cooling. If this happens frequently, it will reduce the battery’s lifespan.
Choose the outside vent
In winter, parking your car outside for a long time is a common cause of moisture accumulation inside the car. Therefore, experts advise you to turn on the fan and switch to the outside vent mode as soon as you get in the car to help circulate air in the car cabin, making the air inside the car fresher.
If you are driving in a clean air area, with less smoke and dust from vehicles and driving at night… then you should choose the outside vent to ensure the oxygen level inside the car and help maintain a fresh and airy atmosphere in the car.
On the contrary, if you have to choose the inside vent to limit odors and pollution, after about 30 minutes of driving, you should proactively switch to the outside vent for about 5 minutes or lower the windows. This will help ventilate the cabin, ensure oxygen levels inside the car, and avoid feeling tired due to lack of oxygen from using the inside vent for too long.
Using the air conditioner frequently
During winter, many people think that since the temperature drops, there is no need to use the air conditioning system. However, according to experts, even when the car is in the winter season, turning on the air conditioning can still have certain benefits.
Firstly, turning on the air conditioner at a temperature of 20-26 degrees Celsius helps reduce humidity inside the car, limiting the growth of molds and providing a comfortable and stable temperature for passengers.
Secondly, turning on the air conditioner not only reduces the temperature but also helps remove moisture inside the car cabin. After a short period of time, the temperature balance reduces the amount of water vapor, and the windows will not fog up anymore.
Thirdly, turning on the air conditioner helps the cooling system operate more effectively. The reason is that when you turn on the air conditioner, the cooling water can circulate throughout the system. The coolant contains a lubricating agent that helps lubricate the rubber and the pipe system, ensuring that they are in good working condition.
Therefore, not using the car’s air conditioning system for a long time means that the cooling water will not circulate, and the lubrication agents will not work on the rubber components. This can cause the pipes to leak and the coolant to gradually run out, resulting in the need to replenish the coolant or, worse, replace the rubber pipes.
Source: VTC news
