Fuel Efficient Ways To Stay Cool In Your Car This Summer

Summer driving doesn’t have to mean sweating through your shirt or draining your gas tank to stay cool. With a few smart strategies, you can beat the heat without burning through extra fuel.

Park Smart—Whenever possible, park in the shade or use a windshield sunshade. Keeping the sun out helps prevent your car’s interior from turning into an oven—and it means your A/C doesn’t have to work as hard when you get back in.

Vent Before You Drive—Before turning on the A/C, open the windows for a minute to let the hot air escape. This gives your air conditioning a head start and shortens the time it needs to cool things down.

Use A/C Wisely—Air conditioning can impact fuel economy, especially at low speeds. When driving around town, consider cracking the windows instead. On the highway, A/C is usually more efficient than open windows, which can create drag and reduce MPG.

Recirculate Air—Set your A/C to “recirculate” rather than pulling in hot outside air. This keeps the already-cooled air flowing through your cabin and helps your system cool more efficiently.

Lighten the Load—Excess weight can decrease fuel economy. Remove unnecessary items from your car, especially heavy ones, to help both your cooling system and your gas tank.

Maintain Your Cooling System—Make sure your A/C system is in top shape. A clean cabin air filter and proper refrigerant levels make a big difference in how quickly and efficiently your car cools down.

With these tips, you can enjoy the ride and the sunshine—without feeling the heat at the pump!