Tips on Keeping Your Car’s Interior Cool This Summer

Sure, we all love the summer, but it’s ok to complain about some of its side effects – for example, how hot your car gets after a couple of hours sitting in the sun. It almost feels like it could double as a sauna, not to mention the ickiness of your skin sticking to the leather seats.

You can beat the heat that’s building up in your car, thanks to a few tips from the cool folks at Consumer Reports.

For when you’re parked:

• Park in the shade.
• If you have a sunroof, close the shade.
• Put a sunshade in the windshield and another over the rear seat window, especially if you’ll be carrying children in car seats. Folding-type shades are easy to store while driving.
• If it’s not calling for rain and you’re parking in a secure area, lower each window an inch or two. If you have a sunroof, leave it in the tilt position to provide extra ventilation.

Getting into your car:

• For the first few minutes, open the windows to let heat escape.
• If you’re wearing shorts and have leather or vinyl seats, bring a towel to sit on.
• Try not to touch the metal part of the seatbelt as you can burn yourself.
• It the steering wheel is too hot, keep a light pair of gloves in the car.

For passengers and pets:

• If children or pets are in the backseat, bring plenty of water and snacks, and plan to stop more often to tend to them.
• The rear seat and cargo areas in SUVs, wagons, and minivans can be much warmer than the front-seat area. Adjust the front a/c vents so they direct air to the rear.
• If you’re headed to the store, bring a cooler bag to keep frozen items from melting or defrosting before you get home.
• High temperatures mean power outages, which means that any gas stations could be out of service. Filling up in the morning will help you be ready for the unexpected.

[Source: Consumer Reports]