THE fluctuating weather Britain is experiencing this summer is likely to lead to more in car arguments, according to new research from automotive servicing and repair company Kwik Fit.

A new study has revealed that 52% of couples whose car has air conditioning argue over the temperature at which it should be set, with men most often turning down the heat. Sixty per cent of male drivers who argue over the settings want it cooler than their partner, compared to only 35% of female drivers.

Yorkshire couples are most likely to suffer climate clashes, with 61% of the region’s drivers saying they argue over their ideal temperature. They are followed by those in the north east, where 56% say it causes conflict. Scottish couples appear to be the most compatible when it comes to setting the dial, with only 43% arguing over the air con.

Drivers in the north west are most likely to be found "chilling" in their car - one in eight in the region say they set their air con at a brisk 16 degrees or below. At the opposite end of the scale are those in the east of England, where nearly a quarter (23%) of drivers opt for temperatures over 20 degrees, the highest proportion across the country.

More than a third (35%) of drivers in the south west avoid the potential for heated arguments by not having air con installed in their car, the highest proportion in the country. They are effectively in the same position as around a quarter of a million drivers across the UK, who say that their ideal temperature is so incompatible with their partner’s that they have to keep the air con off completely.

Regardless of the temperature drivers want to set, air conditioning will quicker in reaching that level if it is working effectively.

Kwik Fit has issued the following advice to drivers to keep their air con in top condition all year round:

  • Use it regularly - turn on the air con for at least 10 minutes every week. That will help keep the system lubricated and stop seals from drying out.
  • Give it a hand - if possible, on very hot days leave the windows open a little. Reducing the heat build-up in the car in the first place will lower the burden on the air con system.
  • Don’t neglect it in winter - using the air con will clear fogged windscreens more quickly. Using the system all year round will help maintain its effectiveness.
  • Recharge the system regularly - around 10% to 15% of the gas inside an air con system leaks out every year, so have it serviced and recharged. Most manufacturers recommend doing that every two years.

Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, said: “Air con systems can make driving a lot more comfortable, as long as the driver and passengers can agree on what temperature to set. It’s important not to neglect the air con systems - these don’t get automatically covered by a car’s annual service, so it can be easy to forget. Regular servicing will avoid the risk of expensive repair bills."