Easy ways to keep your car cool in summer to be more comfortable while traveling
Summer heat can make every joy of the season long days, outdoor festivals, floating in the ocean unbearable. Learning to keep your car cool in summer is not complicated. While these tips won’t work miracles, they will block the sun’s most intense rays so you don’t feel like you’re baking!
Take a defensive approach
The less sunshine that enters your car the more comfortable you’ll feel. But unless you park underground, the steering wheel and seat cover are bound to heat up, offering discomfort from the moment you sit down. Here’s what to do:
- Invest in sheepskin seat covers. They add incredibly soft cushioning and moderate temperatures so you won’t end up sitting on a hot surface.
- Keep a hand towel nearby. Cars tend to heat up when they sit in a parking lot for an extended period. Before leaving, simply cover the steering wheel with a hand towel so it doesn’t feel hot to the touch when you get back.
- Use a dash cover. You’re not sitting on the dashboard or constantly touching it to steer the car, but it’s worth protecting. Keeping all surfaces cool will keep the overall temperature down. Plus, it prevents sun damage by preventing it from fading and cracking.
No sun allowed – quick tips
Park in shady spots.
Granted, this wasn?t always be an option, but keep an eye out for dark parking spots even if they’re further from your destination. This is the simplest way to keep your car cool in summer without spending a dime.
Crack the windows and inch.
Don’t leave them down so far someone could reach an arm in, but a little ventilation will keep air circulating so it doesn’t become a still and steamy sauna inside.
Tilt the sunroof open while keeping the sun blocker closed.
For the same reason it’s a good idea to crack the windows a touch, allowing some air flow welcomes any breezes, and keeping temperatures below boiling.
Get the windows tinted.
Darker windows keep much of the day’s sticky warmth from creeping in. The tint won’t affect visibility, but it will reduce the amount of UV radiation that enters a car.
Tinting blocks nearly 95 percent more solar heat than untinted windows, reducing your chances of getting sunburned while driving. Because there’s less solar heat present, once you’re-driving the air conditioning works far more efficiently.
Shade the windshield.
An unshaded windshield is basically waving the welcome flag to the sun. Shades are affordable and take no time to put up. Go for one made with reflective material for best results. Getting a custom fit will cost slightly more, but if you live in a sunshine state it’s well worth the investment.
Open your sun visor before stepping out.
Every little bit of heat you can block out counts, and it only takes about half a second to flip it down.
Set up a solar-powered fan.
These gadgets are designed to suck the heat out of your car and send it far, far away, or at least to the next car over. On a still day, simply lowering the windows isn’t enough to keep temperatures down. Fans provide steady circulation.
When hot air gets trapped, temperatures have nowhere to go but up. Knowing how to keep your car cool in summer is essential to your health. On a day that?s 80 degrees Fahrenheit, interior temperatures of a car can rise well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
A hot car and even a mild case of dehydration can be a lethal combination when you’re behind the wheel. Take every precaution possible and drink plenty of water.