BROKEN AC ON YOUR CAR? HERE'S HOW TO KEEP COOL -

Driving with a broken AC may prove to be a problem.

Not so much in colder weather where bad ventilation may be the only problem. The cabin heating still works in most cases so you can manage.

But with higher temperatures, during summer, a broken AC is not only a problem but may pose a safety risk.

This article should help you get by if you encounter this problem until you fix the broken AC.

Besides our article and website, visit our YouTube channel where you can see many car-related videos that may come in handy.

BROKEN AC-HOW TO KEEP YOUR CAR COOL?

1. OPEN WINDOWS

Of course, the first thing to do when the AC is broken is to open the windows.

The natural thing to do is to open all the windows but if you mind the draft or have to drive on the highway that may be a problem.

Our recommendation is to open either both front or rear windows. If you mind the draft, best open the rear windows, this will cool down the passenger cabin, but the wind won’t always get in your face.

While driving you can also put a towel around your neck to avoid draft.

2. SHADE THE WINDOWS

Next, you can use some shades. This goes double if you have passengers in the back.

Although you can shade only the rear windows since shading the front would obviously be a safety hazard, it will help.

You can buy shades that stick to the window, these are widely available and cheap.

If you don’t mind the aesthetics a more effective option is to put some clothes, a shirt, or something else that’s similar on the window. It keeps the heat away much better.

3. USE THE CABIN FAN

Although you have a broken AC the cabin fan still is working.

Mind you, in the recent past the cabin fan was the only source of cabin cooling.

Turn on the fan and our recommendation would be to set the ventilation to blow from the front blowers.

This way you’ll get a nice breeze of outside air which will be cooler than the one in the cabin.

4. DRINK ENOUGH WATER

Drinking enough water is a top priority. Lots of people don’t have a habit of drinking water, in this case, it’s a must.

We recommend drinking just water, maybe with some lemon or something like that. Avoid soft drinks or other sugared beverages since they only induce more thirst.

5. WEAR PROPER CLOTHES

Besides water, make yourself comfortable. Especially do this if it’s very hot outside.

Wear some T-shirts, shorts and if possible some footwear where your feet will be able to breath.

It is a lifesaver with a broken AC and your drive will be much more comfortable.

6. DRIVE DURING NIGHTTIME

One more very useful thing you can do is to plan your trip during nighttime.

The temperatures during summer usually plummet during the night making trips easier and much more comfortable.

This tip goes double for longer trips and when driving kids.

For more information about driving fatigue which is a common situation while driving during nighttime, click here.

7. BUY AFTERMARKET FANS

A popular solution for a broken AC is to buy some aftermarket fans, the ones that you can plug into the lighter socket.

To be honest, I tried it, and it works but it’s nothing spectacular. It’s a good help for the already existing ventilation.

Nevertheless, since they are cheap to buy, it doesn’t hurt to have one at hand.

CONCLUSION

To be clear, all of this is a first-aid measure.

Fix your broken AC system as soon as possible especially if you live in a warmer climate.

As mentioned, driving in the heat for a prolonged period of time reduces the driver’s attention and can seriously reduce the reaction time making this a dangerous situation.

Never underestimate the influence of a lot of heat while driving.