To drive around just to get in the air con car

[LovelyYellowLabrador]

?

I get it’s not great for the environment, but it’s only a one off or two off

People will say it's terrible for the environment and the kind of behaviour that has got us in this situation in the first place, which are both true statements. But my DP will boing just this with my 91yr old grandmother if she starts to wilt.

I wouldn't. What if you break down?!

I do worry what if the roads start to melt guess sitting in it on the drive is even more leery !!

I wouldn’t purely because of the cost of fuel at the moment and the worry that I’d break down!

If it gets you through - why not? But others bring up good points about breaking down so I’m not sure.

Just go to the supermarket instead

I've stopped using my car air con because it wastes the fuel

Drive to your local shopping centre & go for a walk around there instead

What if you break down and have to stand at the side of the road for ages? Seen a lot of people broken down at the side of the motorway over the last week and felt sorry for them. More cars are probably breaking down with the heat so there would be a long wait as well.
Wouldn’t it be better to go wander around an air conditioned shopping centre/supermarket for a few hours?

Cinema is where its at. We were actually a bit chilly yesterday - bliss.

I’m actually a bit scared to drive anywhere incase the road melts

I'd drive to somewhere - the price of fuel now you can sit and have a coffee somewhere air conditioned and still be quids in.

The tarmac on the road outside our house was melting a bit yesterday, so if we do get up as high as they’re saying today and tomorrow I expect it will be a bit squishy and sticky on that road in particular!

Svara
Just out of interest, do you know if it uses a great deal more fuel to run it.
I drive for a great deal of every day for work, and I always have the air con on from around June til Sept.
I've never noticed the fuel useage increase, and I use a lot of fuel.

I've heard 10% so I avoid it. Probably more economical on long drives once it's done the cooling. I only drive 20 to 30 minutes.

I’d do it. In summer I do it. Currently winter here. Half an hour or so in a nice frosty car can be reviving.

Probably better to drive somewhere with some nice big shady trees and park under them and idle with the air con running. Saves having the outside of the car heat up from the sun. Take a cold drink and get hydrated while you cool down.

Svara
Thank you, once it's not so hot I will give it a go turning it off and just using the cold air setting.

I've heard 10% so I avoid it.

Maybe 1mpg at most. In a modern car opening the windows will use more fuel than running the A/C.

Except you can’t do that because it’s an offence to run your engine while stationary and in a public place.

No, it’s very specifically an offence on a road. So car parks etc are fine.

No you use more fuel using air con when you're not on the motorway. That's when it's most beneficial to your fuel.

Window open on normal drives is what saves your fuel.

Not ideal as if everyone did this the roads would be clogged up and people would get stuck in this weather.
To do this parked up is extremely bad if you have an ICE car.

that said, I will likely go and sit in my car with the air con on in my drive but I have an EV.

Uses extra fuel, doesn't waste it if it makes life bearable.

I only drive 20 to 30 minutes most of the time. It's a waste if it cools the car down then you stop 5 or 10 minutes later! On the motorway it's worth it like a PP said.

Did you have all your windows open at home last night?
have you done everything you can to shade your house?
Have you done all you can so sunlight doesn't come into your home?
can you afford the fuel for pointless journeys or should you save it for your heating in winter?

If you did all that and you still can't cope, then do it. But plan for what happens if you break down. If you didn't then no, not justifiable, in my view.