The RAC has shared advice for motorists planning on driving long distances in hot weather, and it simply involves pressing one button to keep the inside of your car cool15:33, 27 May 2026Updated 15:33, 27 May 2026Long-distance driving can feel like a slog at the best of times, and journeys become even more daunting during the kind of sweltering temperatures we're currently enduring. Fortunately, the RAC has offered some handy advice on how to keep your car cooler for longer, simply by pressing a single button while on the road.‌"The summer months are perfect for road trips, holidays and trips to the beach," the breakdown firm states on its website. "However, heatwaves and hot temperatures can also transform the interior of your car into an oven and cause a range of mechanical problems."‌While some suggestions are fairly obvious - such as parking in shaded areas and draping a blanket over leather seats - there are other clever tricks for hot-weather journeys that may not have crossed your mind.‌Before setting off, the RAC recommends opening both windows on one side of the car, then 'fanning' the interior by swinging a door on the opposite side back and forth."Providing you're not worried about potentially looking a bit weird, repeat this open-close motion at least three times to help expel the hot air," the RAC says. "Leave the sunroof shut if the car is parked outside in sunlight."Content cannot be displayed without consent‌The next step is the crucial bit - it involves starting your engine and switching the air conditioning to its coldest setting. "If your car offers the option, select the 'external' air setting (the symbol on the switch usually shows an arrow entering the car), rather than air recirculation (a circular arrow)," the RAC advises on its website."The air outside the car will be cooler at this point. Open all remaining windows, as the air-con system will take a few minutes to become effective."Since heat rises, it's most effective to direct the air-conditioned air through the footwell vents, which pushes the warm air already trapped inside the car upwards and out through the open windows.‌The RAC continues: "Shut off the upper vents on the dashboard and at the base of the windscreen so that the full flow of air into the car is directed upwards. As the car begins to cool, slowly close the windows to ensure the cool air stays inside the cabin."For vehicles without air conditioning, meanwhile, the RAC recommends keeping the windows open to allow air to circulate throughout the cabin. "You should also keep the fans switch on and set to the coolest setting to improve ventilation," they add.Finally, once the air conditioning is blowing cold, shut all the windows and switch to the (pre-cooled) recirculated air setting.Article continues below"You can now open the upper air vents and adjust the flow as required," the RAC says. "More advanced 'climate control' air-conditioning systems allow you to set and maintain a constant temperature within the car."The advice is backed up by Capturing Cars, a social media account dedicated to motoring tips. "The recirculation button essentially shuts off the vents to the outside of the car, trapping the air in it," they explained in a TikTok video.Capturing Cars continued: "Let's assume it's really hot outside and you have turned your air conditioning to cold. Pressing the button will make it colder on each pass. If you don't have it on, you are bringing in boiling hot air from outside and trying to make it cold, which will take longer."