BERLIN: One of the hardest parts of any heatwave is the instant discomfort that comes from jumping into an unbearably hot car.
Rather than feeling like a steak on a barbecue the next time you want to go for a drive, testing organisation Dekra has some advice for keeping cool behind the wheel: Contrary to what seems logical, drivers should refrain from turning on the air conditioning straight away, as it will only recycle the hot air already in the car.
To remove the air, all doors and the boot of car should be left open for a few minutes before driving, at which point drivers should leave the windows open for the following few minutes.
Only then are they advised to close the windows and begin using the air conditioning at a low temperature and with a strong fan.
The interior should be cooled to no more than six to eight degrees lower than the outside temperature so as not to shock the driver's cardiovascular system when exiting the car.
In order to protect children from direct sunlight, motorists are also advised to install sun protection mats and roller blinds on the rear windows. However, they should not attach these devices to the windscreen or two side front windows, to maintain full visibility.
