If like me and nearly half the adult population who suffer from hay fever every year, you may be interested to know that some car manufacturers are trying to help alleviate these uncomfortable symptoms.
As much as I love the hotter weather we have been enjoying here in the UK over the last couple of weeks, it also means there is a much higher pollen count which brings on the sneezing, itchy and watery eyes and that horrible tickly throat you’d love to be able to scratch. And if you’re driving, a sneeze at just 30mph can leave you blind for around 30 metres, which means that exposure to pollen and particles in the air can have a serious impact on road safety.
The good news is that ŠKODA have created a healthier cabin environment with their Climatronic Air Care System. Using a suite of sensors, the system monitors air quality and, if necessary, automatically activates the air recirculation function if pollutant levels are rising. The cabin air filters in most current ŠKODA models, such as the all-electric ENYAQ iV, OCTAVIA, KAROQ and KODIAQ perform three functions simultaneously, catching fine dust particles and preventing allergens from entering the interior as well as absorbing unpleasant odours.
With the hay fever season often lasting right through to September and the start of autumn, effective interior filters and intelligent air conditioning is a tremendous relief to many drivers. ŠKODA’s Climatronic with Air Care System keeps cars interiors free of the majority of pollen and fine dust particles all year-round. It also helps increase safety for allergy sufferers and fellow road users, as well as improving the overall comfort for all occupants who may also suffer from allergies.
The Climatronic with Air Care System is available either as standard or as an optional extra on most of the current ŠKODA range. It uses sensors to measure both interior and exterior temperatures, interior air quality and humidity. If excessive air pollution is detected, the air recirculation function is automatically activated, preventing contaminated air from entering the cabin while at the same time cleaning the internal air via recirculation as the air passes through a highly effective activated carbon cabin filter. The filter removes small particles from the air flow as well as pollen and absorbs unpleasant odours.
ŠKODA’s vehicles are fitted with three different cabin filters. As well as the basic version for the entire ŠKODA model range, there is the activated carbon filter and a third filter which is capable of removing allergens.
Cabin filters should be replaced every 18,000 to 36,000 miles to ensure that the filtration remains at its most effective, with the ideal time to replace the filters being spring or early summer so as to catch the first pollen of the season. This is also a good time to check that the air conditioning system is fully functional before the warmer summer temperatures arrive.
Another clever function that prevents the car’s windscreen from misting up, is the air conditioning compressor activating automatically above freezing temperatures, directing air directly onto the windscreen and windows.
For more information, please visit ŠKODA’s website: www.skoda.co.uk.
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is Editor of Our Man Behind The Wheel, a member of The Guild of Motoring Writers, professional photographer and former saloon car racing driver.
Photographs courtesy of ŠKODA
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