Balmy outdoor weather is one thing but multiply the temperature by a zillion and that’s how the inside of your car feels. Since the sun’s rays easily go through windows, your car’s once tepid surfaces–seats, dashboard, armrest–absorb the light and become searing sources of intense warmth. So, on those days when a shady parking spot just can’t be found, here are some ways to keep your car’s interior heat in check.
Keep Sunlight Off the Windshield
Before your vehicle can internalize all that heat, reflect it away using sun shades, as they’ve been shown to lower the car’s interior temperature by 15 – 20 degrees. Studies have shown you’ll get the best results by facing the shades’ reflective surface at the interior. When you face them in instead of out, they protect the dashboard, steering wheel, and other surfaces, ensuring you can steer the car without getting second-degree burns.
Though shades for windshields are the most common, you can also get them for windows. These can be helpful if sunlight hits a vehicle’s side instead of its front.
For a pricier but more convenient option, consider a high-quality window tint. This one-time purchase will save time and makes sense if you live in a warmer state (like Arizona!).
Keep Windows Cracked
Continuous air circulation works wonders for stale, hot air. Give those heat waves a place to escape and keep the windows slightly cracked. Studies show this method can lower temperatures by up to 28 degrees, and the larger the crack, the better the results (hint: make sure to keep safety in mind any time you crack a window).
Cover the Dashboard and Seats
If sun shades seem too much of a hassle, you can use a large towel or light-colored fabric to cover interior surfaces. For a more elegant approach, you can buy cloth seat covers. The air inside your car might still be a shock to the system, but at least this method lets you sit and drive without burning your legs and hands.
Use a Solar-Powered Fan
Using the sun’s energy to propel the fan, this handy tool keeps air moving inside your car, which you already know keeps interior temperatures lower. Use it in lieu of or in conjunction with cracked windows.
All you Arizona folk know it gets hot out there, but if you follow a few simple steps, you can outsmart this area’s unforgiving sun.
Call University Auto Repair today!
