Revealed: The optimum setting for your car's air conditioning

To help those allergy sufferers, when the clean air system is selected, the indoor fine dust concentration is measured by the vehicles fine dust sensor. If needed, the air filter prevents contaminated external and find dust particles entering the car to ensure the air is clean.

When selected, the intelligent air recirculation system can detect when windscreen washers are being used and can prevent the associated fumes entering the cabin.

The system will also switch to air recirculation mode when the car enters an enclosed space e.g. a tunnel or a car park.

Genesis in conjunction with The AA, asked nearly 14,000 drivers how they set their air-con, with 72 per cent of drivers over the age of 65 preferring cooler temperatures in the summer months, setting their air-con to 20 degrees or lower. 71 per cent of those aged 55 to 64 do the same, while just over half (53 per cent) of 18- to 24-year-olds chill out at 20 degrees or lower in the summer.

Drivers of pensionable age are the coolest behind the wheel, according to new research by Korean luxury car brand Genesis.

When it comes to the coolest of us Brits, it’s the Welsh who like the lowest temperatures in their cars in the summer months, with 19 per cent of Welsh drivers favouring the very coolest settings on their air con. Those in Eastern England obviously feel the cold the most and prefer warmer temperatures, even in the summer months with 44 per cent of them opting for a temperature between 16 and 20 degrees on their air-con systems.

Genesis models, such as the award-winning, all-electric GV60 come with advanced climate control systems, which can be pre-set from the user’s smartphone to chill their car to a desired temperature before they even get into the car. The GV60 also comes with ventilated front seats to keep the driver and front passenger cool on their summer drives.

Jonny Miller, brand director for Genesis Motor UK, said: “Staying cool behind the wheel in the summer months is not just about comfort, it’s about safety, too. Having a car with an effective and well-maintained climate control system can help to reduce fatigue and stress behind the wheel. At Genesis, our climate control systems do just that, maintaining a pre-set temperature, while also ensuring that the quality of the air inside the car is often better than that outside.”

President of the AA, Edmund King added “Air con has moved from a novelty to a comfort add-on to an everyday in-car essential – whether that’s making the cabin more pleasant on normal days or more bearable on hot ones. The ability to keep windows and the windscreen clearer on winter drives is also a big advantage, with a major safety benefit.

“As summer temperatures become more testing, it is well documented that the age group suffering the most are the elderly. Little wonder then that they are maximising their use of air con.

“The AA reminds owners of cars with air conditioning that regular servicing not only ensures its effectiveness but also reduces the cost of operating it.