Summer is coming and, with it, high temperatures that add extra difficulty to almost any daily task. Driving is no exception to this, so it is normal to use the air conditioning. But, what is the most recommended temperature to put the car air conditioner in summer?
More than one will say that it is something subjective, since everyone has their own tastes in terms of cold and heat. They are partly right, but there is a more or less universal standard with a range of temperatures around which it is advisable to set the thermostat.
The general recommendation on the ideal temperature is to put the air conditioner between 20 and 24 degrees Celsius, since placing it at a lower or higher temperature can have negative consequences.
The consequences of having the air conditioner above 24 degrees
Everyone remembers when the Government, as part of the measures of its energy saving plan, established, through Royal Decree-Law 14/2022, the limit of 27 degrees for air conditioning in summer. However, driving in similar temperatures can even be dangerous.
Excess heat has consequences on the behavior of a driver, since it produces feelings of fatigue and even similar to if he had consumed alcohol, which makes him have, for example, less ability to react to unexpected situations and increases the possibility of accidents.
The consequences of having the air conditioner below 20 degrees
The opposite extreme also has negative consequences, but this time both for the people who go in the car and for its performance and even our pocket.
Setting the air conditioner at such a cool temperature may seem like a good idea due to the momentary sensation, but the truth is that the contrast with the degrees outside can lead to heat stroke or cause us to feel unwell due to the change in temperature. let’s catch a cold
But it is also that excessive use of air conditioning negatively affects the car. Abusing it has direct consequences on its performance. The use of it subtracts power from the engine, although the horsepower it loses will depend on the power at which it is activated. It is possible to lose from 2 CV to 15 CV, which can be missed especially in less powerful cars.
Not only that, it also increases fuel consumption, something known to all. But, how much more does a car spend with the air conditioning at full capacity? It can be between 5 and 20% extra, which can mean up to a liter per 100 kilometers more than usual.
Windows or air conditioning?
It is a question that every driver has asked himself at some time in his life and the answer is easy: it depends on the speed.
We can set the limit around 80 or 90 km/h. Below this speed, opening the windows is a good way to ventilate the car and uses less than air conditioning, but from this speed the thing is reversed and, due to aerodynamics, it is better to connect the air and close the windows .
In addition, it must be taken into account that as soon as you get into the car, it is highly recommended to open them so that the hot air accumulated inside can escape.
