Summer is here: some tips to keep your car (a bit) cooler

With summer come high temperatures, scorching hours of sun and little desire to stay cooped up at home. These are days to grab the car and head off to enjoy the beach, the mountains or the holiday spot. Getting in and out of the car can be a real pleasure to enjoy the holidays and free time, although if the temperature is very high, we may have to think twice before doing so. It is best to keep a few tips in mind to prevent the car’s interior from heating up too much and having to suffer the effects of the heat.

To avoid this, remember that the heat is a direct result of the action of the sun on the bodywork, which is transmitted to the inside of the vehicle. There the thermal sensation is greater because there is not enough ventilation. The metal heats up quite a lot and this can be felt inside the car. With this in mind, the main thing is to keep the car as far from the sun as possible. If you can park in a shaded area, even better. Although the temperature rises during the day, keeping the car in the shade can ease the thermal load this causes.

When looking for a shady spot to park, bear in mind that the sun moves, so check that the shade does not shift and leave the car in the sun, with all the unpleasant consequences that entails. If possible, it is better to move the car and park it in an area with more shade. For example, park on one side of the street in the morning and in the afternoon move it to the opposite pavement, where there is probably shade during those hours.

Either way, whether parked in shade or sun, the best option is to place a sunshade over the dashboard, so that the sun does not come in through the windscreen, which is the largest glazed area of the car and where most of the sun gets in. Moreover, the effect on the dashboard not only produces heat but can also damage the material it is made of. The steering wheel also gets very hot, making driving more difficult and uncomfortable. If you do not have a sunshade, it is better to let the steering wheel cool down first, since it can be very uncomfortable to drive with it too hot.

Heat also affects the bodywork and the exterior paint. If you wash the car frequently and apply protective wax, the paint lasts longer and also protects the interior. Cleaning the dashboard and other elements with special products also protects them in a special way.

Ventilation, without the need for air conditioning, also helps to cool the car in summer

The ventilation system is essential for keeping the car’s interior cooler. If air circulates, at least it will be renewed and the temperature will drop. If at the same time the car windows are opened, a considerable drop in temperature will occur. Admittedly, it will not be lower than the ambient temperature, but at least it will not be the heat you feel when the car is closed and accumulating temperature.

Once the airflow that clears the interior and reduces the temperature is in place, you can use the air conditioning to improve the conditions inside the cabin. If we do not have it, when driving with two windows lowered, even if only partially, you will get a current of air that will improve the feeling of heat.

Above all, remember that before setting off, it is best to cool down the cabin. Driving in excessive heat can cause problems while on the road. Also, drink plenty of fluids and make a point of stopping frequently to stretch your legs and stay active. Fortunately, summer lasts only about three months and we can enjoy it. Do you have any other tricks for keeping the cabin from getting too hot in summer?