Overlooked car button that no one ever uses will cool down your cabin WITHOUT any air con – and it saves on fuel

The Sun

11-07-2025

AS the soaring temperatures continue, you may find yourself blasting your car's air con.
However, an overlooked button on your dashboard can help to instantly cool your vehicle without even turning on your AC.
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This simple hack could prove to be your summertime saviour as the scorching heatwave continues.
While it may be tempting to reach for your car's air conditioning dial, another feature can be just as effective without costing you as much money to run.
Look for a button marked with a little arrow pointing back on itself, often accompanied by a car symbol.
Recirculate air
This "recirculate air" button is designed to cool down your vehicle's interior even when the air con is off.
Rather than drawing in hot air from outside, this button recirculates the air already inside the car.
By cutting off the hot air outside, it helps to cool the cabin as quickly as possible.
This is an ideal technique when the air outside the car is hotter than the air inside.
If you want to ensure this is the case, blow the air con for a couple of minutes and then hit the recirculate button.
Or you could even avoid the air con altogether, helping to save on fuel.
How it works
"No more waiting for the air conditioning to kick in – the air recirculation button has your back," a spokesman for UK Car Discount told the Express.
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According to the pro, this helps in "ensuring you experience a swift and soothing transition from the outside heat".
"It works by recirculating the cool air you get from your A/C when you first turn it on," the expert explained.
"The longer it's on for, the cooler your vehicle will get! If you don't use it, the car will use the air from the outside that is a lot warmer, and your AC will work harder and continuously to cool the hot air.'
And while the temperature continues to rise, so do fuel prices, making this a handy hack to have in your back pocket.
There are other tricks you can use to cool down your car's interior this summer.
How to keep cool in a heatwave
Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it's too hot, there are health risks. Here are three ways to keep cool according to the NHS...
Keep out of the heat if you can.
If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter.
Cool yourself down.
Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes.
Keep your living space cool.
Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees. Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep.
More car hacks for hot weather
The RAC agrees has offered another tip to drivers who are looking to save cash on hot days.
'Start driving, but keep the car windows open for a minute or two to let all the hot air escape, do this until the air from the vents feels cooler than the outside temperature," they said.
"Once the air conditioning is blowing cold, close all the windows and switch to (pre-cooled) recirculated air."
Or if you still prefer to use your car's AC, use this budget buy to elevate it further.
And avoid keeping these six items in your car during the soaring summer temperatures.
Another kitchen staple can also help to keep your car cool in a heatwave.
Plus, how to look out for symptoms of your body overheating this summer.
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