Parents brace for 'heated' arguments over the perfect car temperature

More than one-third bicker with partners over in-car heating

(Getty)

British parents planning "staycations" are preparing for heated arguments with their partner and kids over getting the temperature right in the car.

A survey of 2,000 parents by car firm Seat revealed almost four in 10 regularly argued with their occupants about the in-car temperature.

When driving in general, one in five parents with children aged 16 or under said they argued about having the window open, while 19 per cent would row over having air-conditioning on and 16 per cent would bicker over whether to have the heating on.

This could create a number of quarrels over the next few months, with the average family estimating they will be going on five day trips from the start of July until the end of September, covering almost 350 miles in the process.

But almost half (44 per cent) admitted they dreaded taking their child on a journey which is more than one hour long.

And 41 per cent said they struggled to park when they had their children in the car distracting them.

The research, conducted by OnePoll for Seat, comes as the government continues to ease lockdown, with people in some areas now able to stay overnight at hotels and caravan parks.

More than three-quarters (79 per cent) of parents with children under 16 said they had missed being able to get in the car and go for a day trip.

However, when it is safe to do so, the number one destination for day trips for families will be the beach (70 per cent), followed by the countryside (66 per cent), visiting family (61 per cent) and the zoo (45 per cent).

It also emerged that British parents estimated they would save £650 by not going on a foreign holiday this summer.

SWNS