Community
20 December, 2024
Keep your car cool in summer
RETURNING to a car that’s been sitting in the sun can often be an unpleasant experience.
The blast of hot air as you open the door, the warm seats and the burn of a seatbelt buckle can make your car a hostile environment.
As the temperature rises outside, so too does the interior of your car, particularly if left in direct sunlight for extended periods.
There are a few things that can be done in order to keep your car’s interior at a comfortable temperature.
Try to keep the sun out as much as possible.
Having your windows tinted will help block some of the heat-producing solar wavelengths, ultimately lowering the overall temperature.
Window shades can also do much the same thing. While these are not always as attractive, and can be fiddly, they are a cheaper alternative.
Even with a tint you will want a windscreen shade as this big span of glass is responsible for much of the incoming heat.
Try throwing a light-coloured blanket or towel over the dashboard, steering wheel and seats as this can also make a difference (especially if you have a black or other dark coloured interior).
Open a window on one side of the car then walk around to the other side and open and close a door several times; allowing some of the hot air to ‘escape.’
Your car’s air conditioner is the perfect end to the cooling process but this needs to be used properly.
In order to pump the maximum amount of chilled air into the car, select the lowest temperature setting on your air conditioner, crank up the fan speed to maximum and use the recirculation button to stop outside air being drawn in.
If your vehicle is fitted with a climate-control system, select the lowest temperature and press the auto button – it will do the rest for you.
If possible try to avoid the hottest part of the day if travelling and when parking and leaving your car unattended for any length of time, try to find some shade.
