4 Ways to Maximize Your Car’s AC in a Heat Wave | Harlingen, TX
This summer in Harlingen, Texas, has been brutally hot. Here are five easy ways to make sure you get the most out of the AC in your car this summer.
Turn It All the Way to Low
In your home, cranking the AC is expensive, but it’s actually more efficient in your vehicle than using a warmer temp. That’s because your vehicle works to cool the air to a standard “air conditioning temperature” and then must heat it back up to the desired temp. So in this case, it makes sense to crank it and then adjust your fan as necessary.
Turn Off Auto Start/Stop
If you have a hybrid vehicle, auto start/stop is a great way to save fuel at stoplights. However, when the vehicle shuts off, so does your air compressor, which means it has to work harder to turn back on and keep cooling the vehicle. You’ll notice its absence in the time you sit at the light; trust us.
Don’t Precool Your Vehicle
Many of us remote start our cars, trucks, and SUVs in the winter to heat them up, and that makes sense. However, in the summer, vehicle air conditioners should not be used the same way. They actually work much better once the engine is actually powering the vehicle, not just idling the car. It won’t make much of a difference and will be super inefficient to let it idle.
Park in the Shade
When parking, always aim for a shaded spot. If at home, park in the garage or under a carport if at all possible. You can purchase windshield visors and even window shades with suction cups to help keep the hot sun from warming up your vehicle while you are off running errands. This also helps keep your AC from working too hard when you return.
Is your AC working properly? Contact the service department at Bert Ogden Toyota in Harlingen, Texas, for all your maintenance needs.