The summer months in Arizona bring along extreme heat, which can impact both the exterior and interior of your vehicle. Use our five tips below to keep your vehicle as cool as possible from the intense summer sun.
1. Store Your Car In A Garage Or Covered Area
Of course, this tip may seem obvious, but it should be reinforced. Parking in a garage or a well-covered area will prevent the sun from hitting your vehicle directly. This ultimately eliminates the sun’s chance to heat up the interior of the vehicle.
The interior temperature will eventually reach the exterior temperature, but it will never exceed that number. Reduced interior temperatures are undoubtedly the most obvious benefit, but parking in a garage consistently can help increase the life of the vehicle’s exterior paint. The interior trim and upholstery can also be negatively impacted by too much exposure to the sun.
2. Use A Sunshade
If you are forced to park your car in direct sunlight, try utilizing a sunshade on your front windshield. Either collapsible metallicized fabric hoops or foldable cardboard pieces with special laminations will do.
Using a sunshade is an inexpensive way to keep the sun from beating down on your vehicle’s interior. Some basic shades can cost as little as $30, proving invaluable in the Arizona summers. Be mindful of the fact that sunshades are only effective when placed against the front windshield. The interior temperature may still rise, but the sunshade will prevent your seat, seatbelt, and wheel from getting too hot.
3. Tint Your Windows
Clear glass keeps nearly all UV-B and UV-C from passing on through. However, some harmful UV-A can still enter the vehicle’s interior. Tinting your windows with special film can help block anywhere from 35-65% of solar heat transmission. Additionally, nearly 99% of UV rays will be blocked.
Tinted windows can keep the interior cool while also reducing your AC’s workload. Darker films tend to be more effective, but they can reduce your vision while driving at night. Tinted windows may also increase the overall safety of your vehicle.
4. Cover Your Car
Car covers are a great way to keep the vehicle out of the sun, especially when you don’t have the option to park in a garage or shaded area. Think of car covers like a layer of clothing preventing potential sunburn.
Opt for a thicker or reflective cover to produce the best results. Make sure to choose an outdoor cover that’s designed to resist both UV rays and water from entering the interior.
5. Always Park In Shade
Even if you have to go out of your way, parking in shade can make a big difference in the Arizona heat. Full shade is best, of course, but partial shade can still reduce the interior temperature.
Shade will always move with the sun changing positions throughout the day, so keep this in mind when parking your vehicle.
Conclusion
In the southwest, any vehicle can heat up rapidly during the summer months. Use these five tips above to keep your vehicle as cool as possible. Another tip is to keep your windows cracked slightly. A solar-powered fan can also be utilized to combat the extreme temperatures.
University Auto Repair In Flagstaff, AZ
When you need your car fixed, you need it fixed fast, and you need it fixed the right way. At University Auto Repair, we strive to provide the best and highest quality auto repairs in the region. We live here too, and we are dedicated to the safety, security, and convenience of drivers and car owners throughout the Flagstaff area. Contact our team today!
