There are several methods that car owners can employ to cool down the driver’s compartment:
Cover the steering wheel with a cloth
The steering wheel is often covered in 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.
The gear shift knob can also get hot quickly. Before leaving the car, place a wet wipe on it to block the sun’s rays. Choose wipes with a low concentration of cleaning agents to avoid damaging the surface.
Use a car cover
The metal body of a car can act like a boiling pot when left in the sun with the windows up. Using a cover can help reduce the amount of sunlight that hits the car, lowering the interior temperature.
Additionally, reflective sunshades can be used on the dashboard and steering wheel, and heat-insulating film can be applied to the windows to further reduce heat absorption.
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Open one window and repeatedly open and close the opposite door
One of the quickest ways to cool down the driver’s compartment is to open one window and repeatedly open and close the opposite door about 5-10 times to push out the hot air.
Leave the windows slightly open when parking
Experienced drivers recommend leaving the windows slightly open, or opening the sunroof when parking outside, to allow hot air to escape.
Park in the shade
Whenever possible, park your car in a shaded area, underground, or in the shadow of a building or tree. If no shade is available, keep sunshades or reflective blankets in your car to cover the windshield and windows.
According to VTC News
Frequently asked questions
Cars can quickly heat up when parked in direct sunlight due to the greenhouse effect. Sunlight passes through the windows and is absorbed by the interior surfaces, which then radiate heat, but the greenhouse gases in the air trap this heat energy inside the car, causing a rise in temperature.
There are several ways to maintain a cooler car temperature when parking in sunny conditions. Firstly, try to find a shaded area or a covered parking lot to minimize direct sunlight exposure. If that’s not possible, use a sunshade on the windshield to block direct sunlight from entering the car. You can also open the windows slightly to allow hot air to escape and create cross-ventilation. Additionally, consider using reflective window films or covers to deflect sunlight away from the car.
If your car has already heated up from being parked in the sun, there are a few quick ways to cool it down. Open all the doors for a few minutes to let the hot air escape and the interior to ventilate. You can also use sunshades or reflective covers on the windows to prevent further heat absorption. Starting the car and turning on the air conditioning (AC) will help, but it may take a while for the AC to cool the entire vehicle, so rolling down the windows during this process can speed things up.
Yes, there are more permanent solutions to consider. Tinting your car windows with a high-quality, heat-rejecting film can significantly reduce the amount of solar energy entering the vehicle. You could also invest in a solar-powered car ventilation system that helps circulate air and keep the interior cooler. Additionally, regular maintenance of your car’s air conditioning system will ensure it is efficient and effective when you need it most.
In addition to keeping your car cool, it’s important to protect the interior from UV damage. Use UV-resistant window films or covers to block UV rays from fading or damaging the dashboard, seats, and other interior components. You can also apply a protective coating or conditioner to the dashboard and other exposed surfaces to prevent cracking and discoloration. Keeping the interior clean and free of dust and debris will also help maintain its quality over time.
