There’s not a man or woman alive that hasn’t experienced the breathtaking heat that’s expelled from a car after sitting for hours in the hot sun. Every year millions of us experience this ungodly occurrence and yet day after day, most of us just deal with this as a minor inconvenience
Fortunately, there are a few solutions that can help you keep your parked car cooler this summer. Some of them are simple, some are free, some will cost you a little bit, but all of them will help you keep your car cooler regardless of what the temperature is outside.
If you’re tired of being blasted with a heat that’s equivalent to the devils dwelling, keep reading to learn how you can reduce the interior temperature of your car and stay cool this summer.
8 Tips To Help Keep Your Parked Car Cool This Summer
Here’s a quick look at some of the best ways to keep your car cool this summer:
- Park in the Shade
- Leave the Windows Cracked
- Use a Windshield Sunshade
- Use Remote Start
- Get Your Windows Tinted
- Install Cooling Car Seat Covers
- Use a Solar Power Fan
- Use Your AC Settings Properly
Tip #1 – Park in the Shade
While this may sound super obvious, this simple method can help tremendously in keeping your car cooler during the summer heat.
When you park in the sun, the sunlight makes its way into your vehicle through your windshield and windows. This light then gets trapped in your vehicle and absorbed by the interior of your car. Once this light is trapped, it then turns into heat and thus turns your car into a sort of greenhouse.
But by parking in the shade, you eliminate most of the sunlight that could make its way into your vehicle and reduce the amount of heat that can build up by doing so. Make sure you park in the shade whenever possible, even if it means you have to walk a little farther. You’ll thank yourself later.
Tip #2 – Leave the Windows Cracked
As I just mentioned, when sunlight makes its way into your vehicle it gets trapped and turned into heat. The only way for this heat to escape is by letting the vehicle air out, or by running the AC.
If you leave your windows cracked, this helps in letting some of the hot air out of the vehicle throughout the day. This doesn’t mean your vehicle wont still be hot, but it wont be as hot as it would be otherwise. The further you can leave your windows down, the more heat will escape. Obviously, only let them down if you feel comfortable doing so.
Tip #3 – Use a Windshield Sunshade
There are many windshield sun shade benefits. Using one is a great, budget friendly way to help keep your vehicle cool. They work by reflecting or absorbing the sunlight that comes in through your windshield.
Some individual tests have shown a reduce in temperature of roughly 30° F. This greatly depends on what type of sunshade you buy, how well it fits your windshield, and how hot it is outside.
If you don’t have any choice but to park in the sun, definitely consider investing in a good windshield sunshade like this one on Amazon. It comes in multiple different sizes to fit vehicles of all makes and models and comes with a money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with it. It also folds up nicely into a small storage pouch when not in use.
Tip #4 – Use Remote Start (If You Have It)
Using your remote start is a great way to jump start the cooling process. Most remote starters have a usable range of up to 1,000ft or more and can easily start your vehicle even from within a building.
If your car isn’t equipped with remote start, you can always buy a universal kit and install it yourself or have it done professionally. A universal remote start kit, like this one on Amazon, is a great way to to knock off a few degrees before you make your entry into your car. Not to mention they’re great to have in the winter as well!
Tip #5 – Get Your Windows Tinted
Getting your windows tinted is a great way to keep your car cooler in the summer. Windows that have no tint allow approximately 90% of the suns visible light into your vehicle which is then trapped and turned into heat. Tinted windows, on the other hand can block up to 75% of the suns visible light and keep your car significantly cooler.
Window tint can be a DIY project, but this is typically a job best left for the pros. Especially since there are many different types of car tint, you need to know what you’re doing. Improper installation can lead to the tint bubbling and peeling off. Definitely consider getting your windows tinted this summer if you’re looking for a long-term solution to help keep your car cooler.
Tip #6 – Install Cooling Car Seat Cushions
Another gadget to keep your car cool in the summer is a cooling car seat cushion. It is a great way to make your car more comfortable in the hotter months. Although these don’t help keep your car any cooler when parked, they do make a world of difference when compared to sitting on a hot leather seat that’s been baking in the sun all day.
This cooling car seat cushion by Zonetech is available on Amazon and has awesome reviews. It fits all car seats regardless of make or model and plugs into a standard 12V cigarette lighter socket. It even has a temperature control so you can regulate how cold you want it to be. This is a great way to cool off quickly, and keep yourself from getting stuck to a hot leather seat.
Tip #7 – Use Your AC Settings Properly
When it comes to cooling your car down quickly, the best way to do so is by preventing as much heat from building up as possible, and by using your AC settings properly. Most people get confused between the max AC vs AC settings, but it is actually quite simple.
If your vehicle has a Max AC setting, be sure to use that whenever you want to cool your car off quickly. Pressing Max AC will turn on your vehicles air conditioning system, set it to re-circulation mode, and turn the dash vents on full blast. This is the fastest and most effective way of cooling your vehicle.
If your vehicle doesn’t have a Max AC setting, simply turn on your air conditioning system, turn the vents up full blast, and set it to re-circulation mode. This is basically the manual way of using “Max AC”.
Tip #8 – Use a Car Umbrella
What do you do when you want to park in the shade but there isn’t any available? You create your own!
A car umbrella or car tent as they’re sometimes called is a great way to keep your car cool by providing some makeshift shade. They basically operate like a standard umbrella by providing a physical barrier between the car and the sunlight.
This car umbrella by Senllen is a great option for anyone who needs to create some shade of their own. Its available in two colors, black and navy blue, and offers protection from sunlight, rain, snow, and hail. Its also designed to withstand winds up to 30mph.
If you’re absolutely set on keeping your car in the shade but don’t have a garage or carport to park under, a car umbrella may be a good alternative for you to consider.
Conclusion
In conclusion, keeping your car cool during the scorching summer months is something that all drivers should know how to do.
Employing a combination of techniques—such as using a sunshade, cracking the windows, and parking in the shade—can make a significant difference in maintaining a cooler environment inside your car.
Advanced methods, like installing tinted windows or solar-powered fans, offer long-term solutions for those willing to invest a little more.
By taking these simple steps, you can protect your investment and make your summer driving experience a lot more pleasant.