Just about everyone enjoys when the temperatures start to rise and going outdoors is more exciting. The snow and iceare gone, and the world is bathed in sunshine. The only problem is when the temperature gets too high and you start to feel uncomfortable stepping outside.
Even on days that are beautiful outside, sometimes when you step into your car, it can be positively sweltering. A car that was parked somewhere hot can make you feel as if you’re being boiled alive. Nobody wants to deal with that. The good news is that there are several solutions to help avoid this problem as the weather starts to warm up.
We’ll share a few tips that ensure your car is cool when you step inside so you don’t have to deal with all of that unnecessary discomfort.
Use a Window Visor or a Sunshade
The very first tip and likely one you are already utilizing is using a window visor or a sunshade to prevent some of the heat from reaching the interior of your car. This is a go-to solution that takes only a few seconds to counteract the hot interior temperatures that can result from your car sitting out under the sunshine.
All you have to do is make it a habit to put the window visor down or plop a sunshade in the windshield whenever you step out of the car for more than a few moments. If you want to ensure the best interior temperatures, consider adding a sunshade to the back window as well.
Consider Using a Dash Cover
There are a couple of different reasons to consider using a dash cover in your car when it’s blazing hot outside. An upholstered or fabric dash cover is the perfect solution for making the interior of your car a bit more comfortable. When you don’t have to place your hands on hot vinyl surfaces, the heat will feel a bit less overwhelming and make your driving experience less challenging.
But that isn’t the only reason to consider adding a dash cover to your car, truck, or SUV. The rays from the sun can reach the vinyl of your dash and cause fading and cracking. A dash cover will prevent that kind of damage and keep your interior looking great.
Keep Your Steering Wheel Covered
So, you have a sunshade and you purchased a cover for your dash. You might be wondering what your next option should be to keep the car cool when it’s hot outside. Having a cover for your steering wheel can also help you beat the heat in the summer.
You can go with a steering wheel cover that doesn’t take on as much heat at the actual steering wheel, but there is a second option that is cheaper and just as easy. All you need to do is have a small hand towel in your car that you can cover the steering wheel with. This will keep you from burning your hands when you pull out of the parking lot. If you go for this option, make sure that you still have a good grip on the wheel while you're driving, though.
Pay Attention to Where You Park
While all of these different gadgets and products can help your car stay cooler or at least not be as hot to the touch, there are ways to prevent the heat to begin with. One of the simplest is the mere act of paying attention to the environment that you are parking your car in.
While parking in a sunny parking lot might not be a big deal if you’re just heading into a shop and right back out again, that isn’t the case when your car will be sitting for an extended time. Even if you have to walk a few extra feet to get where you are going, it’s best to find a place where you can park the vehicle in the shade. Once you head back to the vehicle, you’ll be beyond happy that the car isn’t sweltering.
Keep Your Favorite Possessions Safe
If you tend to store items like electronics, DVDs, CDs, and things of that nature, you do not want them sitting out to soak up the sun. Not only will this prevent your items from getting too hot and becoming damaged, it can also prevent a would-be thief from attempting to break into your vehicle.
Keeping things protected is simple. If you have CD and DVD cases, stow them under your seats. Larger items that are heat-sensitive can be covered by a light blanket. If you aren’t comfortable with the solution in the interior of your car, an alternative is to keep them in the trunk when the car is going to be sitting in the bright sun. Keep in mind that the interior of the trunk gets hot, though, so make sure that anything you store there isn't going to melt or become damaged by the temperatures.
Park Your Vehicle in a Garage When Possible
It may not always be possible to find a parking garage for your car, but it’s a great option when the possibility is at hand. Having your vehicle in a garage will keep it out of the sun so it stays a comfortable temperature. This is basically the same as having your car in a location that has constant shade. Even if the parking garage is a bit warm, it is going to be a better solution than having the car out in direct sunlight all day.
Crack Your Windows Slightly
You don’t want to leave your car windows all the way down when you aren’t present in the vehicle. However, leaving a small crack in the windows can really help when it comes to keeping a cooler temperature inside the car. Even a small crack will help air ventilate and keep your vehicle cool. It’s a good idea to check the crack and make sure it’s not large enough for an arm to go through, and consider cracking both front windows to allow air to flow through the cabin of the vehicle.
Consider Buying a Solar-Powered Fan
If you’re going to go with cracking your vehicle windows, the solar-powered fan can pair well with that to make your car extremely comfortable even when it’s quite warm outside. These fans are ultra-simple and work to remove hot air that is inside of your car. By promoting constant circulation of air, this will lower the temperature of your car overall.
Toss Blankets Over Your Seats
Everyone who owns a car with leather or vinyl seats likely knows how hot they can get when the temperatures rise and sunlight is pouring into the car. If you want to ensure your car seats are comfortable when you sit down to drive, throw a blanket over them or consider getting seat covers to use in the summertime. This will keep you cool while you drive home, even in a car that has been in the sunshine for an extended period of time.
Keep the Doors Open Before Getting Inside
The last thing you can do to keep your car nice and cool instead of sweat-inducing is to leave the car doors open before you step inside. Just waiting a few minutes before you get inside can make a huge difference in terms of the temperature of your vehicle. The warm air that has been stuck in your car will be able to exit while cooler air can make its way inside.
Wrapping Up
If you follow these tips, you will be ready for the summer season and all the sunshine reaching your car. Now is a great time to double-check that you have proper insurance and don’t need to renew your registration. Grab the items you need to stay cool no matter where you go and life will be a lot easier.
