Use These Tips To Keep Your Car Cool

Summer fun always comes with a few warnings — stay hydrated, wear your sunblock, and wear protective clothing like sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats. All of these things can help us survive the summer heat, but what about our cars? If you’re concerned about protecting your vehicle from the summer sun, take a look at these tips for keeping your car cool for the summer.

Summer Car Basics

There are a lot of things you can do to help keep the interior of your vehicle cool during the hot summer months. Some of the more basic measures you can take include:

• Park your car in the shade whenever possible. Direct sunlight will heat your car faster, so park under a tree, awning, or another shady area whenever you can.
• Park in a garage. Even better than finding a shady spot, parking in a garage will eliminate any direct sunlight and keep your car cool.
• Crack your windows. Cracking your windows will promote ventilation in your vehicle. Just remember to make sure no one can fit their arm through the small opening.
• Leave the doors open. Before you get into a hot car, leave the doors open for a few moments to let the hot air can escape.

Common Items You Can Use to Protect Your Car’s Interior

You don’t have to run out and buy a lot of summer products for your car’s interior. Here are some common everyday items you can repurpose during the summer.

• Throw blankets to cover your seats are great if you have leather or vinyl upholstery that can become overheated when they’re exposed to the sun.
• You can also use a hand towel on your leather-wrapped steering wheel to the same effect.

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Sun Protective Gear For Your Car

Just like shades and hats can protect us from the sun, there are protective products you can use for your car.

• Use a window visor to block out the sun when you can’t find a shady place to park.
• Protect your dashboard with a cloth dash cover. A dash cover will keep you from having to touch hot vinyl or leather surfaces and also protect the dashboard from sun damage.
• Grab a solar-powered fan. You can enhance the effect of leaving the windows cracked by adding a solar-powered fan to keep cool air circulating in your car and expel the hot air.

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