This quick hack should help drivers while they are out in the summer heat.
A professor has shared a quick hack to cool down cars in the heat.(Image: Getty Images)
Temperatures soared across Europe and the UK this week as an intense heat wave swept over several countries. Scotland even recorded its hottest day of 2026 on Thursday, June 25, when the temperature rose to 31.2C in Threave in Dumfries and Galloway.
But while many people will have enjoyed relaxing in the summer weather, some drivers may have been reluctant to get into their cars during the week in high temperatures. As many vehicles are left in direct sunlight, drivers will have been blasted by another heat wave as they entered their cars.
While most people will have their air conditioners cranked all the way up to try and find some relief, it seems there is a faster way to cool down vehicles in the hot weather. Up-and-coming Celebrity Traitors star Professor Hannah Fry shared how this valuable insight helps in ‘scorchio’ weather. Instagram page.
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Seen sitting in her car, Hannah said: “You know that thing when you get in your car in the summer and it’s absolutely boiling hot, there’s actually a fluid dynamics trick that you can use to quickly cool your car down.”
The mathematician says that she has a PhD. in fluid dynamics, and claims she repeatedly uses this technique as temperatures warm in the UK. The added bonus is that the trick doesn’t require drivers to do it waste fuel by using their aircon.
She added “So don’t put the air con on, it would take about five minutes, it’s not worth it. Instead, open one of the windows on the opposite side of the (driver’s) door.”
After showing that the rear window was opened, Hannah proceeds to quickly open and close the driver’s door several times. Although she admits this can be “embarrassing”, the trick is able to make sitting in the car more manageable.
Hannah went on to explain, “The reason it works is because when you open and close the door, especially if you do it quickly, as it moves outwards, the door sweeps out all the air that’s in its path and creates this kind of low-pressure area.
“It then sets up something called bulk flow, which is where all the hot, sweaty, horrible air inside the car is pulled out, and the only way to replenish it is with nice, fresh, light air from that side. It only takes about two or three times, and suddenly it’s completely, beautifully tempered.”
Many viewers have since left comments below the clip, with some sharing they want to try it before their next trip.
One person wrote: “I actually saw a woman doing this today with her mini and thought what is she doing lol now I know and will give it a go. I burned my bum on my seats getting into my car today and I’m seven months pregnant, heat is not my friend!”
Another person also added: “I did this thanks to watching your video last year! Yes, I get looks, but one of the great things about being a woman of a certain age is that I don’t care what other people think.”
Meanwhile, a third viewer said: “Great! I’m willing to go through some embarrassment to cool my car down. Funny looks from the neighbors is a small price to pay.”
Hannah will appear in the long-awaited return Celebrity traitorswhich was recorded earlier this year in the Scottish Highlands.
Along with 20 other celebrities, including Maya Jama, James Blunt, Michael Sheen and Miranda Hart, they will work together to find the traitors in their midst to secure a cash prize of up to £100,000 for their chosen charities.
