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Original poster

Tips for keeping cool in a car with no air con?!

12 replies

Hevasparkle · 21/06/2023 16:45

So my car air con is broken. £600 to fix it and a caveat from the mechanic that they can’t guarantee ongoing issues after this.

so I can’t afford /justify getting it fixed.
I am extremely sensitive to the heat and for good measure have hyperhidrosis too🙃
i am a horrible sweaty mess at the moment by the time I arrive at work every day. Trying to avoid using the car as much as possible but when I have to….anyone any tips for keeping cool when it’s so warm out.
so far I have tried…

ice packs wrapped in tea towels against my back - great initially but they obviously melt fast
wet cloths over the fans - good at first but doesn’t last
extra fans - just seem to blow hot air back at me
all windows down - helps if car is moving or on a fast road
neck fan - not very effective

any other ideas please?

OP posts:
samseaborn4ever · 21/06/2023 16:57

Just open the windows a bit.
It's not as good as air con no but do you have air con in your house. Sometimes it just hot

parietal · 21/06/2023 17:19

park in the shade whenever possible.

If you have to park in sun, get a windscreen reflector which you put in the windscreen when the car is parked. it reflects the heat out so the car will be cooler when you get in.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Goodyear-Universal-Windscreen-Folding-Windshield/dp/B0C7L76VXG/ref=sr_1_5?crid=ZCQ578LQHSW&keywords=windscreen+sun+shade&qid=1687364330&sprefix=windscreen+%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-5

when you get in, open doors on both sides for 2-3 mins to get cool air in and hot air out

several windows open a little can be better than 1 window open a lot

Original poster
Hevasparkle · 21/06/2023 18:51

samseaborn4ever · 21/06/2023 16:57

Just open the windows a bit.
It's not as good as air con no but do you have air con in your house. Sometimes it just hot

I do have air con units at home. But the car gets much hotter due to greenhouse effect.

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Maztek · 21/06/2023 18:53

I have hyperhydrosis too! I have the two front windows all the way down as it creates a wind tunnel when I’m driving and keeps me cool. Also have a little hand held fan I carry everywhere with me. You have my sympathies though hyperhydrosis is horrible. I’ve tried medication and it’s didn’t work. Next stop Botox!

Vintagegoth · 21/06/2023 18:55

A small cotton cloth soaked in cold water and then rung out so still wet but not soaking, draped over the back of the neck really helps to take the heat out of your body. That and windows down as low as you can bear.

Original poster
Hevasparkle · 21/06/2023 19:05

Vintagegoth · 21/06/2023 18:55

A small cotton cloth soaked in cold water and then rung out so still wet but not soaking, draped over the back of the neck really helps to take the heat out of your body. That and windows down as low as you can bear.

Thankyou I’m going to try this tomorrow! Might be more feesible than the ice packs!

OP posts:
Tipintorecession · 21/06/2023 19:08

samseaborn4ever · 21/06/2023 16:57

Just open the windows a bit.
It's not as good as air con no but do you have air con in your house. Sometimes it just hot

You've never sat in 30 degrees in a car with no air con I take it? You're effectively in a glass box sitting in direct sunlight, very different to being in a house.

Decafflatteplease · 21/06/2023 19:08

Hi @Hevasparkle you have my sympathies! Although are you sure it's actually broken Could it just need regassing as that would be far cheaper I think we paid less than £100.

Original poster
Hevasparkle · 21/06/2023 19:10

Maztek · 21/06/2023 18:53

I have hyperhydrosis too! I have the two front windows all the way down as it creates a wind tunnel when I’m driving and keeps me cool. Also have a little hand held fan I carry everywhere with me. You have my sympathies though hyperhydrosis is horrible. I’ve tried medication and it’s didn’t work. Next stop Botox!

It’s horrid isn’t it. Someone wanted to hug me as soon as I got out the car the other day 🫣
I find meds and Botox quite good in combination for a lot of the year but nothing really seems to help when it’s like this

OP posts:
Original poster
Hevasparkle · 21/06/2023 19:12

Decafflatteplease · 21/06/2023 19:08

Hi @Hevasparkle you have my sympathies! Although are you sure it's actually broken Could it just need regassing as that would be far cheaper I think we paid less than £100.

I’ve had it regassed twice and it broke again within the week so it looks to be a bigger issue. Thanks for you reply though!

OP posts:
CC4712 · 21/06/2023 19:14

Our car air con has never worked and would be more than the car is worth! 😂

Does you work have a shower? I'd do that personally, a very quick wash off after you've arrived.

Depending where the hyperhidrosis is, have you tried botox?

Original poster
Hevasparkle · 21/06/2023 19:18

CC4712 · 21/06/2023 19:14

Our car air con has never worked and would be more than the car is worth! 😂

Does you work have a shower? I'd do that personally, a very quick wash off after you've arrived.

Depending where the hyperhidrosis is, have you tried botox?

yes it does thanks for your response I’ve been getting in early to wash then change into uniform as I’m soaked when I arrive.
I have had the Botox which is quite good in winter but doesn’t seem to help when it’s like this, the sweat just turns up elsewhere 🙀

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