There are several methods that car owners can employ to cool down the driver’s cabin:

Cover the steering wheel with a cloth

The steering wheel is often made of leather or carbon fiber, which can absorb and retain heat. By covering it with a cloth, you can prevent direct sunlight from heating it up when the car is parked.

The gear knob is another component that heats up quickly. Before leaving the car, place a wet wipe on it to block the sun’s rays. Ensure you use a wipe with a low concentration of cleaning agents to avoid damaging the gear knob’s surface.

Use a car cover

Covering your car with a tarp or car cover can significantly reduce the amount of heat absorbed by the metal body. This is because the tarp blocks direct sunlight and creates a barrier that prevents the car from heating up like an oven.

Additionally, you can use reflective sunshades on the steering wheel and dashboard, and consider installing heat-insulating film on your windows—a popular choice among car owners to maintain a cooler interior.


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Roll down one window and repeatedly open and close the opposite door

One of the quickest ways to cool down the cabin is to roll down one window and repeatedly open and close the opposite door about 5-10 times. This creates a flow of air that pushes out the hot air trapped inside.

Leave the windows slightly open or open the sunroof when parked

Experienced drivers recommend leaving the windows slightly open or opening the sunroof when parking outdoors to allow hot air to escape and keep the cabin cooler.

Park in the shade

Whenever possible, park your car in a shaded area, underground garage, or in the shadow of a building or tree. If no shade is available, keep sunshades or reflective covers in your car to place on the dashboard and windscreen. These measures will effectively reduce the amount of direct sunlight entering the car and minimize heat absorption.

According to VTC News

Frequently asked questions

A car can quickly heat up when parked in the sun due to the greenhouse effect. Sunlight passes through the windows and gets absorbed by the interior, then radiates back as heat energy. This heat energy gets trapped inside, causing the temperature to rise significantly.

There are several ways to maintain a cooler car temperature when parking in the sun. Firstly, try to find a shaded area to park. If that’s not possible, use a sunshade on the windshield to block direct sunlight. You can also open the windows slightly to allow hot air to escape, and consider using reflective window coverings or a sun visor to reduce heat absorption.

Additional tips include parking in a way that minimizes direct sunlight on the car, using a solar-powered fan to circulate air, and avoiding leaving electronics or flammable items in the vehicle. Keeping the car well-maintained, with regular checks on fluids and tire pressure, also helps.

To rapidly decrease the temperature inside your car, open all doors for a few minutes to let the hot air escape and generate a cross breeze. You can also use your air conditioning, but first, circulate fresh air by opening windows and using the vents to blow out hot air. This will ensure the AC works more efficiently.

Frequent overheating can lead to potential issues. The extreme heat can damage electronics, fade or crack interiors, and cause the dashboard and other components to warp. It can also impact the function and lifespan of the battery, as well as the engine oil, transmission fluid, and other fluids, leading to higher maintenance costs.