5 tips not to be missed when using car air conditioning for good health in winter

1. Make sure the air filter is clean

In winter, low temperatures, dry weather, and high humidity will be a suitable environment for bacteria to grow, especially inside a small space like a car. Therefore, if the air environment in the car is not guaranteed, the risk of catching a cold or respiratory infections is very likely to occur. One of the first things to do before winter comes is to check the air filters of the car's air conditioning system.

In theory, the air filter helps prevent dust from spreading through the air vents throughout the car cabin, and is also the first door to filter out harmful bacteria that accumulate in the air conditioning system and spread through the wind. Therefore, this filter must always be ready to operate.

According to Mr. Dao Trong Nhan (owner of Trong Nhan garage, Tan Khai street, Vinh Tuy, Hanoi), the cost of replacing the air conditioner filter is not expensive, only from 200,000 VND for a popular car, the type with activated carbon of good brands costs over 1 million VND, but many car owners do not pay attention because this detail is difficult to detect when it is broken or no longer effective. "According to the manufacturer, the car air conditioner filter needs to be cleaned periodically every 5,000 - 10,000 km and replaced every 20,000 - 30,000 km. But I see many customers come in when the air conditioner is broken, cannot cool or heat, then conveniently replace the air filter", Mr. Nhan said.

The most obvious sign that you need to check the air filter is when you see the following abnormal signs in your car's air conditioner: the air conditioner smells bad, the air conditioner is not cool, sometimes it's cool, sometimes it's not, the air vents are condensated with water... Because it's very possible that the car's air filter is too dirty, causing a blockage that prevents the fan from sucking in enough air.

2. What is the appropriate temperature?

And according to experts, the temperature inside the car should not be too different from the outside temperature because it can easily cause heat shock when getting out of the car. So whether it is hot or cold, you just need to keep the temperature so that it is not too warm in winter and cold in summer, the difference between the temperature inside and outside the car should only be 3 - 5 degrees Celsius.

At the same time, experts also advise drivers to turn off the air conditioner 3-5 minutes before getting out of the car to allow the body to gradually get used to the outside temperature to avoid heat shock due to changes in the environment.

With new cars, the parameters of air conditioning temperature and the temperature of the environment inside and outside are almost equipped in the car, the driver just needs to pay attention to observe. With old cars, there is only a knob to increase and decrease the cold, you can buy an additional battery-powered temperature gauge to keep in the car to monitor the temperature of the environment in the cabin.

3. You should turn on the air conditioner after starting the car.

According to experts, whether it's hot or cold, drivers should get into the habit of turning on the air conditioner after starting the car and turning it off before turning off the engine.

The reason is that this habit will help protect the car battery over time to work better. Because when the user turns on the air conditioner while the car is not started, the battery must work to run the fan and the cooling compressor. If this happens regularly, it will reduce the battery's life.

4. Should I get air inside or outside?

In winter, parking outdoors for a long time is the cause of high humidity accumulation inside the car. Therefore, experts advise that as soon as you get in the car, you should turn on the fan mode and switch to outside air to help circulate the air in the cabin, making the air in the car fresher.

If you drive in an area with fresh air, little dust and traffic, or at night, you should choose to take in outside air to ensure the amount of oxygen in the car and make the air in the car more airy and fresh. On the contrary, if you are forced to take in inside air to limit odors and pollution, you should note that after about 30 minutes of driving, you should proactively use the outside air intake mode for about 5 minutes or quickly lower the windows. This helps the cabin to be more airy, ensuring the amount of oxygen in the car, avoiding the feeling of fatigue when the car lacks oxygen due to taking in inside air for too long.

5. You should still use air conditioning regularly in winter.

In winter, many people think that the temperature is low so it is not necessary to use the air conditioning system. But according to experts, even when driving in winter, turning on the air conditioning still has certain effects.

Firstly, turning on the air conditioner at a temperature of 20-26 degrees Celsius helps reduce humidity accumulated in the car, helping to limit mold growth as well as providing a stable temperature that people feel comfortable with.

Second, turning on the air conditioner not only reduces the temperature but also helps to absorb the moisture inside the car cabin. After a short time, the temperature will balance, causing the amount of water vapor to decrease, and the glass will no longer fog up.

Third, turning on the air conditioner will help the cooling system operate more stably. The reason is that when the air conditioner is turned on, the coolant can circulate throughout the system. The coolant contains a lubricant that helps the rubber linings and piping system to always be in good working condition. Therefore, not using the car's air conditioner for a long time means that the coolant will not move around and the lubricants will not work on the rubber parts. This can lead to leaks in the pipes and the coolant gradually running out. This will lead to the car having to add more coolant later or, more seriously, having to replace the rubber hose.