When your car’s air conditioning breaks down, you can still enjoy a comfortable ride. Here’s how to prevent the summer heat from ruining your trip when the air conditioning doesn’t work.
There are many things we love about summer: the food, the pool parties, the vacations and the family time. But there’s one thing no one likes. The sweltering heat of a car. If your car’s air conditioner has thrown in the towel and you can’t fix it, don’t worry! Here’s how to stay cool when your car’s air conditioner breaks down.
1-Roll down the windows.
The easiest way to relieve yourself when your car’s air conditioning fails is to roll down the windows when you’re on the road and let the airflow cool you down. That said, driving with the windows down increases aerodynamic drag, which can affect fuel economy, especially on the highway. But when you’re sweating, fuel economy is probably the least of your worries.
- Park in the shade.
There are few feelings as unbearable as getting into a car that’s been in the sun all day. Keep the inside of your car a little more bearable by parking in the shade. When the air conditioning isn’t working, it’s essential to find a shady spot, even if that means you have to walk further to the car. It’s also a good idea to invest in an umbrella to block the sun’s rays. You might even consider paying for a parking space in a garage during the summer months.
3- Break a window.
Another tip for keeping an unattended car cool before you return: Leave the windows down – just a little – to encourage air circulation. This small amount of ventilation will keep heat from building up as quickly, which means you’ll sweat less when you get back on the road. You don’t need to lower them much, just a little, just enough to let air in and keep out potential thieves.
4- Buy a cooling seat cover.
It doesn’t matter how much air comes through the windows if your back is baking against a hot car seat. Keep your head, back and rear cool with a seat cover like the Zone Tech cooling cushion. This cover plugs into your car’s 12-volt system and has a fan that circulates air through its mesh and microfiber cushion. It’ll keep your body a little cooler (and your butt won’t stick to a hot car seat), even if your A/C is on full blast.
5- Carry a cold drink.
A cold drink in the cup holder can go a long way in relieving the heat and keeping you hydrated and comfortable on a long trip. Opt for a quality insulated water bottle that will keep your favorite beverage cool for hours. Fill it with water, iced tea or lemonade, add a few ice cubes and you’re good to go. Going on a trip? Keep a cooler full of ice cubes and water bottles in the trunk so you’ll always have a cool drink on hand.
6- Take a refreshing towel.
There’s a reason theme parks sell refreshing towelettes at a premium: They work. The good news is that you can buy refreshing towels, like Frogg Toggs’ Chilly Pad, for a lot less online or at your local home improvement store. Keep a few on hand for those brutal summer days, whether you’re driving or not. To get all the benefits of a cooling towel, pour cold water over it, wring it out and wrap it around your neck.
7-Plug in a portable air conditioner.
No, we don’t mean a window unit that attaches to the car window. Instead, portable air conditioners, like the ConBlom Personal Evaporative Cooler, run off your car’s 12-volt power system or rechargeable batteries. Depending on the model you choose, you may have to fill it with ice or water first, but then just turn it on and it will blow cold air. These little machines can move a surprising amount of air through your vehicle.
If you have the space, you may want to try a slightly larger and more powerful unit for your next trip. Portable refrigerated air conditioners keep food and beverages cold while using the cool temperatures inside the refrigerator to produce cold air and pump it into the car. While the size may not be very practical, it is a true portable air conditioner.
- Try DIY.
Many things can go wrong with your car’s AC system, but some are pretty straightforward to address. For instance, if your system is simply low on refrigerant, you can buy a refill kit at a local auto parts store. Make sure that you purchase the right kind of refrigerant for your car, and note that you’ll need a recharging hose if the kit you buy doesn’t include one. One end of the hose attaches to the can of refrigerant, and the other to a fitting under the hood. If you’re intimidated by car repairs, ask the staff at the auto parts store for help. Another common cause of a failed AC is a stretched or torn compressor belt. These belts are relatively easy to fix if you follow an online tutorial or YouTube video. Do a little research and see if you can diagnose the problem. As long as your compressor pulley still spins freely, your solution may be cheaper and easier than you thought.
9. Throw in the white towel.
No, we aren’t talking about surrendering to the summer’s heat. We literally mean throwing a white towel over the steering wheel. The dark leather, rubber, plastic, and other materials that make up a steering wheel absorb a lot of the sun’s heat, whether directly or indirectly. One way to potentially combat how hot the steering wheel gets is to place a white bath towel over the wheel. The light color will reflect the sun’s energy while keeping the steering wheel underneath cooler to the touch.
