As the weather gets hotter in Colorado, so does your car!
The invention of air conditioning in cars was a brilliant one, but it doesn’t really do a lot of good (at all) after your vehicle has been roasting in the sun for hours while you work, do errands, or anything else that doesn’t include operating your car.
Luckily, there are some simple things you can do to help keep your car cooler while in its parked position. Here are 8 tips to get you started…*
1. Use A Sunshade Or Window Visor
Sunshades or window visors are simple to use, come in a variety of designs, and won’t break the bank (unless you have your eye on a particularly fancy model). The concept is also very simple—by placing a reflective “shield” of sorts between the sun and the inside of your car, you can help keep the temperature lower because the sun isn’t able to penetrate nearly as far past the windshield.
2. Steering Wheel Cover
Steering wheel covers are another affordable and useful accessory when it comes to avoiding the heat. Many of us have experienced the pain of firmly gripping our steering wheels before we realize that they have reached roughly the same temperature as the hot end of a curling iron. The great thing about steering wheel covers is that they, too, come in a variety of styles. More importantly, they allow for safer driving, meaning that you can keep your fingers wrapped firmly around the wheel, without the fear of burning off your fingerprints!
3. Park In Shaded Areas
The more you can avoid direct sunlight on your car for hours on end, the cooler it will stay. Whenever you know you will be parking for an extended period of time, try to find a large tree or parking structure to shade your car and hopefully help you to avoid sitting in an oven upon reentry! Sometimes, the shady spots are a bit further away from the building, but just think of all the healthy exercise you’ll get by taking the “scenic route!”
4. Keep Windows Slightly Cracked
Part of the reason our cars get so stiflingly hot in summer is that, with the windows up, the air inside has nowhere to go. By keeping your windows slightly cracked, you allow the exchange of hot air with (hopefully) cooler air from outside. Keep that air moving!
5. Solar Power Fan
Solar power fans are basically a step up from leaving your windows cracked—plus, they’re eco-friendly! These fans are available for purchase in a variety of different types, which include models that fit into the gap of your slightly-open window and physically pull the hot air out of the car. Since it runs on sunlight, it will work while your car is off and as long as the sun stays out!
6. Cover Seats With Blankets Or Seat Covers
Many of us have traumatizing memories about ripping our bare legs away from plastic and leather car seats that almost take our skin along with them. However, burning-hot leather and plastic seats are a whole other level of pain! Although seat covers that have been specifically designed for cars will probably be the most aesthetically pleasing, a towel or blanket is a fine option to save yourself some agony!
7. Tint Your Windows
Window tinting is a more permanent solution to blocking some of those harsh sun rays from entering your car, so make sure that whoever applies it really knows what they’re doing! By limiting the amount of light it lets in, tinting can potentially bring down the temperature inside your car, but make sure that you do your research, first. Different states have different rules regarding which windows you can tint and how much, so it’s better to be safe than sorry!
8. Park In A Garage
If you are lucky enough to have access to a garage, use it! Sure, the air may be a little stuffy (although not so much in an outdoor parking garage), but at least it keeps your car out of the direct sunlight! Some people even choose to air condition their garages at home, although that often involves installing insulation, as well, so that the cold air doesn’t escape through gaps in the door or walls.
So, there you have it!
Don’t let the heat keep you from having a great summer, and from all of us at Quick-Set Auto Glass, drive safely out there!
* Please keep in mind that none of these techniques will ever keep a car cool enough to justify leaving a pet or child in the car. For more information, refer to our previous blog posting, Dogs In The Car: How Hot Is Too Hot?
