Tips For Keeping Your Vehicle's Interior Cool
With summer finally upon us, millions of drivers are remembering one of the drawbacks of warm weather: a baking car interior. Left in the sun, the inside of your vehicle can heat up to the point that it practically seems like an oven. Even if you leave your automobile in the shade, the temperature inside can rise sharply. By the time you climb back into your car, turning on the air conditioner may not make much of an impact. Below, I’ll provide four tips that you can use to keep your vehicle’s interior below oven temperatures during the summer.
#1 – Crack Your Windows
Before leaving your vehicle to roast in the sun, crack each of your windows a half-inch. This helps the inside temperature in two ways. First, hot air can easily escape throughout the day. Second, the circulation will allow even the lightest breeze to push the heated air out of your automobile. It's important to remember that heat builds pressure. If you don’t crack your windows, you might come back to your car and wonder how they burst.
#2 – Invest In Tinting
Tinting your windows does more than merely keep prying eyes from peering inside. It can play a key role in lowering your interior's temperature while your automobile sits in the summer sun. This is especially true if you use it in conjunction with leaving a half-inch crack around the perimeter.
Keep in mind that every state has slightly different rules regarding tinting. Some restrict tine allowance to the rear windows, while others limit the darkness of the tint allowed. Check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to make certain you’re complying with the law.
#3 - Invest in A Winsheild Shield
You’ve probably seen these in other vehicles. Several companies make shields that you can put on your dashboard as you leave the car. The cheap kind (usually less than $10) are made from cardboard; they unfold to block most of the windshield. Shields that are more expensive are made from materials that not only block the sun’s rays, but also reflect them.
These shields can lower the temperature in your car by over 20 degrees Fahrenheit, which will reduce the load you place on your air conditioner.
#4 – Park In The Shade
When shade is available, park under it (when you can do so legally). Too often, people fail to plan ahead and only look for the parking spots closest to wherever they're visiting. An hour spent on the baking asphalt of a parking lot can cause your interior's temperature to rise dramatically. Park in the shade, even if it means having to walk a little further. When you come back to your vehicle, you'll be thankful you did.
There’s a lot you can do to keep the inside of your car cool during the summer. Crack the windows, park in the shade, and buy a windshield blocker. A little planning upfront can provide plenty of comfort later.