As Indians gear up for road trips and daily commutes in March 2026, a critical health warning is being issued regarding "hot car" syndrome. When a car sits in the sun, the interior temperature can soar to dangerous levels, not just causing discomfort but also releasing toxic chemicals from plastic dashboards and seat covers. Before you even turn on the AC, you need to expel this trapped air .

The first hack is ventilation. Do not just get in and turn the AC on full blast. Instead, roll down all the windows and drive for a few minutes. This allows the super-heated air and accumulated benzene fumes (from plastics) to escape. Once the hot air is out, you can roll up the windows and turn on the AC, allowing the system to cool a much smaller volume of air .

Secondly, maintenance is key for health and safety. Ensure your car's coolant levels are between the high and low marks. The ideal coolant-to-distilled water ratio is 50:50. Also, check the color of the coolant—it should be greenish or yellowish; if it looks like water, it needs replacement.

Engine oil should be replaced every 10,000 km or once a year, as degraded oil can cause overheating and breakdowns . By keeping your car cool, you keep your family safe from heat strokes and vehicle breakdowns during the peak summer travel season.