Car air conditioning systems improve comfort and safety, but improper use can lead to health issues, writes Brian Byrne. These can include colds, sore throats, or burning eyes caused by drastic temperature differences.
To avoid these, Skoda recommends setting the temperature no more than 5°C lower than the outside temperature, ventilating the cabin before turning on the A/C, and using automatic settings whenever possible. Regular maintenance, including cleaning and disinfecting the system and replacing the cabin filter, is also crucial for a healthy driving environment.
When you get into a hot car, don’t switch on the air conditioning immediately. Let the cabin ventilate naturally first. Open all the doors briefly or roll down the windows during low-speed driving to avoid thermal shock from a sudden blast of cold air. Gradually raise the cabin temperature towards the end of your drive to make the transition to outdoor heat feel less abrupt.
Air conditioning has health benefits. It improves concentration, prevents overheating in children, and creates a cleaner environment in the car, benefiting allergy sufferers and everyone in polluted cities. In winter, it dries out the air, so if you bring snow and moisture inside, like on your shoes and clothes, it helps prevent window fogging.
It’s a good idea to leave the air conditioner on automatic mode all year round. It evaluates the interior conditions and adjusts the cooling accordingly, even considering the sun’s direction.
