Revealed: The perfect temperature to set your car heating at – and why you should NEVER wear your coat while driving

As winter approaches, getting in the car can be a chilly experience – especially if your vehicle has been sat outside for days at a time, or if you’re coming from the warmth of your home. 

While it can be tempting to turn your vehicle’s heater to full blast in a bid to warm up, things can quickly turn stuffy and sweaty.

Now, experts have pinpointed the ideal temperature to make sure you and your passengers are comfortable – without getting too hot.

And they warn that you should always remove thick coats before driving, or risk being landed with a hefty fine.

‘Somewhere between 19°C and 22°C is a good baseline temperature for a number of reasons’, Greg Carter, technical specialist at the AA, told The Daily Mail. 

‘This is a comfortable temperature range for most people and will be similar to that of their home. 

‘Not cold enough to require you to need extra layers, and not too warm to make you drowsy.

‘Heated seats are a quick and effective way to stay warm while the car’s interior catches up.’ 

A poll of nearly 14,000 drivers found that 22°C is the ideal year–round temperature to set the thermostat in your car (file image)

His advice correlates with a study, carried out last year by Genesis Motors in conjunction with the AA, that asked nearly 14,000 drivers what conditions they prefer when in the car. 

The favoured temperature, it turns out, is 22°C – ideal for both driver and passenger comfort.

Specialists also shared their top tips for warming your car up quickly. 

Experts from Consumer Reports said that when temperatures drop during winter, it’s a good idea to let your car run for just a minute before setting off.

‘Some drivers prefer to let the engine idle to get everything really warm, but the fastest way to warm up an engine is by driving,’ they said.

‘When you drive the car it’s going to warm up in just a few minutes vs idling for 15 minutes. Just remember not to rev the engine too hard for the first few minutes of driving.’

It’s also a good idea to turn your fan off at first, online driving licence provider Aceable said in a blog post.

‘If you turn the heat on right away, the fan will just blow cold air into your face,’ it reads. ‘Turn on your heater, but wait a minute or two before turning on the fan to keep the icy blast at bay.’

Experts warned you should always remove thick coats before driving, or risk being landed with a hefty fine

Once hot air is coming through, it’s best to aim the vents at your chest instead of your face to help your body warm quickly, it added.

‘When you feel comfortable, adjust the heat to come out at your feet. Heat rises, so the floor of your car will cool off fastest.’

One thing you should never do is warm your car up in a closed garage, it said.

‘Allowing your car to idle in an enclosed space can allow dangerous carbon monoxide to build up,’ the blog post reads.

‘This colourless, odourless gas can poison or even kill you if you inhale too much.’

Finally, while it’s tempting to get into your cold car wearing a thick winter jacket, it could be in breach of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) rules.

The issue arises when people try and remove their jackets while driving once they’ve warmed up – an action that could divert your attention from the road and potentially lead to £100 fine and penalty points for careless driving if caught by the police.

What should I do if my car is overheating?

If your car is overheating you should first pull over and let it cool down

1.  If the engine temperature warning light comes on or there is steam coming from the bonnet, pull over to a safe place as soon as possible
2. Turn off the car engine and get all passengers away from the car and road
3. Open the bonnet from the cabin if you can as the bonnet may be hot
4. Let the car sit for at least 30 minutes
5. Never remove the radiator cap or expansion tank cap as this could lead to severe steam burns
6. Once the engine has cooled, check the coolant tank gauge near the radiator
7. If it empty or too low, check under the car for leak signs like a puddle
8. If too low, top up the tank with antifreeze or warm water mixed with coolant (if coolant is not at hand you can use warm water, but you should add antifreeze as soon as possible)
9. If the coolant level is already sufficient or your car is still not working, call breakdown recovery