Neither roll down the windows nor turn the air conditioning on full blast: the car button you don't use that can save you from the heat this summer

The heat is coming , and with it one of the worst times of the year for driving. High temperatures take their toll on our reflexes and increase our fatigue at the wheel, which impacts our safety. That's why air conditioning becomes a must when driving our cars. We all instinctively want to turn the air conditioning on full blast, even though it's not the best idea . And even more so if our car has been parked on the street. But there are some tricks that will allow you to lower the temperature a few degrees at once . And one of them is one of the great unknowns in our vehicle: the air conditioning recirculation button .

The theory behind how it works is pretty clear to everyone: pressing this button closes the car's exterior ducts, recirculating the existing air. But what's its real use? When should we use it? Ideally, it's best if our car has been exposed to high temperatures. The first thing to do is start the car and open the windows to let out the hot air accumulated inside. You don't even have to stay inside. When you notice the temperature has dropped and the interior is less stuffy, it's time to turn on the air conditioning .

But be careful, it's not time to press the recirculation button yet. You need to wait a few more minutes. That's when you should use it, when the air has already started to flow cool. The car will cool down faster because it's no longer drawing in warm air from outside, only recirculating the cool air that's already been generated. Plus, the engine will work less hard to cool the recirculated air.

In any case, it's not magic, it's pure physics . And it shouldn't be used for more than ten minutes, otherwise the air in the cabin will become too stuffy. In fact, in most modern cars, it automatically shuts off after about that time thanks to sensors that measure air quality. All in all, it's a pretty useful button, and not just for cooling the car faster .

So, if you're going through construction, a dusty area, or an area with unpleasant odors, you can prevent the entry of these unpleasant polluting particles . But be sure to do so beforehand to avoid doing just the opposite. As you can see, it's a very useful button, and one you're sure to get the most out of from now on.