Unable to bear summer heat, Uber-Ola cab drivers turn on AC on their own

Kolkata’s cab drivers have started turning on their air conditioners because of the unbearable summer heat. Earlier, some cab drivers in some cities were not turning on the air conditioning because of the high price of petrol. They would often refuse to turn on the AC or would charge an extra fare to passengers. It seems like even the drivers are feeling the heat of the summer because of which they have decided to turn on the ACs.

Kolkata’s temperature is close to 40 degrees and the temperature inside the car can be even higher if it is parked directly under the sun. This happens because of the greenhouse effect, the heat enters the cabin through the glass but it is not able to get out because of which the temperature of the cabin is more than the outside.

A cab driver said in an interview with Times Of India. “My car owner had strictly instructed me not to switch on the AC, no matter what the customer said. He had even told me to lie that the AC gas was leaking. But over the last one week, it has been so hot that I told my employer I wouldn’t drive if I am not allowed to switch on the AC,”

 

Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500

Another cab driver named Amit Singh, who owns his own car said, “I realised there was no point in punishing my own body and disturbing mental peace by haggling about the AC with customers just to save a few bucks. Hence, I have switched on the AC and will continue to keep it on for the time being,”

How to keep your car cool during summer?

Window blinds

Sun films are banned in India but you can still use window blinds. You might have to remove them in some states but most states allow them. When you are parking the car, cover the windows with the sun blinds. What this will do is reduce the amount of heat that is reaching inside the cabin. You can choose a vehicle-specific sunblind or a generic one. Most of them stuck on the windshield using a vacuum.

Park in the shade

Whenever possible try to find a shady area to park your vehicle. It could be by the side of a building or under a tree. Because the vehicle is parked under a shade, the radiation and heat from the sun will not directly enter the cabin. Yes, the cabin will get warm but it will still be a few degrees less than what it would have been if you parked the car directly under the sun.

Cover the seats, dashboard and steering wheel

Another thing that you can do is put a sheet or a towel on your seats, dashboard and steering wheel when you are parking the car. Vinyl and leather upholstery tends to become very hot when it is parked under direct sun. The towel or sheet will act as a barrier between the sun’s heat and the seats. Because of this, the seats, dashboard and steering wheel will get less hot than usual.

Also read: Upcoming 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza rendered

Source