HOW TO BEAT BIG CHILL IN YOUR HOT ROD
WINTER finally arrived with a bang this week, and with it came more dangerous driving conditions – and, if last year is anything to go by, there probably is worse to come at the end of the month and in early March.
The easiest way to stay safe on the roads is to make only essential journeys, but if you have to go out, SEAT has been sharing a few tips on how to stay comfortable.
María García, an engineer in the Spanish carmaker’s development and aerodynamics department, says the optimal interior temperature is 21.5C.
‘It provides a balanced heat distribution: half of the warm air comes out at around 40C near your feet and cools by the time it reaches your upper body and head, keeping you more alert at the wheel,’ she explains.
If the temperature is too high, it can make you drowsy and be as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol.
‘Driving with an interior temperature of 35C is similar to having a blood alcohol level of 0.5 g/l,’ she warns.
The temptation to overdress also should be resisted, because gloves, coats and scarves can limit your freedom of movement.
‘Wearing gloves is recommended only in exceptional cases when low temperatures can cause a loss of feeling in the hands at the wheel,’ María says.
Always make sure you can see. If your windscreen is frosted on the outside, clearing it is easy, thanks to a new tip I saw online this week.
Rather than pouring warm water on it and drenching yourself in the process, fill a sandwich bag with warm water instead, seal it, then sweep it back and forth across the frost or ice.
To clear the interior glass, turn on the air-conditioning on high for a few minutes and point the vents at the windshield and driver and passenger windows.
Heated seats offer the quickest way to warm up, and initially should be on the highest setting; you can lower them once you feel comfortable.
And my personal tip? Just buy bread today and stick in the freezer!