Drivers warned not to press misunderstood button on dashboard during cold weather
Drivers have been issued a cold-weather warning about what button not to use in the winter months.
It's currently as low as -8C across parts of England, with the potential for 20cm to 30cm of snow on high ground in Scotland.
The Met Office says amber and yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are still in force, which means the increased chance of travel disruption and power cuts.
But the worst thing for people able to head into work this morning is waking up extra early trying to defrost your car.
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To defrost an icy car, you're meant to run the defroster on a high heat, while frantically scraping the ice off the windscreen.
Remember to never use boiling water as it can crack glass, and be sure to clear snow off the entire car before you set off.
Another big mistake, however, involves a button inside of your car, known as the air-recirculation button.
The team from Eden Tires & Maintenance explained that the button 'effectively cuts off the outside air to the inside of the car recirculating air inside your vehicle'.
It's used for 'boosting your AC to help your cabin get as cold as possible as quickly as possible' in the warmer months.
The button also helps with stopping pollution and exhaust fumes from entering your cabin, as well as reducing pollen if you suffer from hayfever.
Although during the winter months, Eden Tires warns that 'when it’s cold outside make sure the recirculation button is switched off'.
They note: "The air-recirculation button is best to use alongside your AC during warm weather. During cooler weather it doesn’t have many benefits and can even be detrimental.
"Some drivers think it makes sense to not have 'all that cold air coming in' if they are using heaters in winter.
"However, in reality it’s best to keep it switched off. The standard 'fresh air' mode forces the outside air through your heater core so it’s nice and toasty before it reaches you, and your windows will de-fog a lot quicker and stay that way while you drive."
The downsides of the button 'is that it traps humidity inside the car, which results in misted windscreens, especially when the air is cold outside and in wet weather.'
This means that it can trap humidity in the cabin and make the car feel really stuffy if it's full with passengers.
It comes after Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop has asked drivers to 'please ensure your vehicle is winter-ready and have a winter kit in your car'.
George Fiddes, of Transport Scotland, added: “Particularly cold weather is expected this week, which is likely to impact driving conditions in the areas covered by the yellow warning, so our advice to motorists is to plan your journey, leave extra time if needed and drive to the conditions.”
Anish Vij