Summer is here and the temperatures are rising! While some people love the heat–I think we can all agree that getting into a hot vehicle isn’t that great!

Keep your vehicle cool between uses by following these tips!

Use a Sunshade

One of the most popular methods of keeping your vehicle cool is using a sunshade/window visor. Using a sunshade could possibly bring your vehicle’s internal temp down at least 10 degrees with the windows up and in full sun.

Use a Dash Cover

On a sunny 98-degree day, your vehicle’s dashboard has the potential to heat up to 156 degrees F after sitting in the sun for 45 minutes!

Your vehicle’s dash is a conduit for heat due to the magnifying nature of the windshield. Using a dash cover can dissipate the heat rays coming through the windshield evenly and absorb heat. This happens because the dash has a less reflective surface and then can radiate less heat.

A great bonus for using a dash cover is that it also protects your dash from dust, dirt, UV rays, and dash buckling.

Keep Your Windows Slightly Open

Free trapped heat inside your vehicle by keeping your windows slightly open. Cracking your windows at least 5 centimeters can lower the inside temperatures by about 28-degrees F on a 98-degree F day.

If your vehicle is parked for the rest of the day, be wary of keeping your windows down due to potential car thieves.

Use Seat Covers

Dark surfaces absorb heat while lighter surfaces reflect heat. When buying seat covers, remember to gravitate towards lighter colors and material, like cotton.

There are plenty of seat covers on the market that claim to keep your seats cool in the summer. Options like ventilated seat covers, seat covers with built-in fans, cooling gel-padded seats, and much more. Consider using protective seat covers for your child’s car seat as well, to keep them safe from burns.

Another (cheaper) option is covering your seats with a towel or blanket. This will do the same thing as using seat covers, but are easily removable.

Park in the Shade / Garage

When all else fails, the best thing you can do is park in shaded areas or in a garage.

Parking in the shade or in a garage is a great way to ensure your vehicle is out of direct sunlight. This also helps keep your vehicle’s exterior and interior save from UV rays.

Bonus Tips

Some bonus tips you can implement are:

  • Using a solar-powered fan
  • Leaving your doors open a bit before starting your vehicle to let the hot air exit
  • Using a hand towel to protect your hands from a hot steering wheel
  • Using a koozie over your stickshift to protect your hands from the heat
  • Spraying down seat buckles with a spray bottle of water- the evaporation will cool the hot metal quickly.

Stay Cool This Summer!

Payne Auto Group would like you to stay cool this summer!

If your vehicle needs maintenance, schedule service online!

View our Community Page for other vehicle tips to take advantage of this summer!