Millions of drivers ignore ‘hidden' button that keeps your car cool in hot weather and saves on fuel

The Sun

11-05-2025

MILLIONS of drivers are said to ignore a "hidden" button on their car's dashboard that cools down the motor and could be a summertime saviour.
When a heatwave hits, hopping back into your parked vehicle is never a pleasant process.
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But now motorists are sharing a tip about an easy-to-miss button on the dashboard.
The button is marked by a little arrow with a symbol of the car.
It's called the "recirculate air" button, and it can cool down your cabin even with the air con off.
According to Virtual Driving Instructor, the button could be a "life-saver on a scorcher of a day".
And it also helps to save on fuel.
The expert said: "When you press this button, it stops any air from outside coming through these vents, circulating the air inside the cabin."
Pressing both the air conditioning and recirculating air buttons can be really helpful, as they "keep all the cool air inside the cabin".
It works by cutting off the outside air, instead recirculating what's already in the car.
This brings down the temperature when the air outside the car is hotter than the air inside.
To ensure this is the case, blow the aircon for a couple of minutes and then hit the recirculate button - rather than swapping it for warmer outside air.
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That could even allow you to switch the air con off, saving on fuel.
Fuel prices remain high with the average price of a tank costing £75, so it could be a timely piece of financial advice.
The RAC agrees and offers another tip to drivers who are looking to save cash on hot days.
It said: '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.
"Once the air conditioning is blowing cold, close all the windows and switch to (pre-cooled) recirculated air."
Four-step guide to keeping car cool
By Jacob Jaffa
First of all, start driving for a couple of minutes before turning on the AC as this can improve it's power.
Consumer Reports experts said: "Your car air conditioning works much better when you're actually driving because the faster the engine turns, the faster the AC compressor runs, which lets the system cool more effectively.
"Don't waste time and fuel by letting your car run before you go."
Once you're up and running, open all the windows fully for between 10 and 20 seconds to let hot air out and make the air con's job easier.
Then, when cold air has started to come through the vent, roll up the front windows but keep the rear windows cracked open.
Doing this for another 10 to 20 seconds will pull the cooler air through into the back of the car, helping to achieve a better all-around chill.
Finally, set the temperature as low as it will go and adjust the fan speed and aim to your preference