The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Your Car Cool When Parked in the Sun

On sweltering hot days, it takes just 30 minutes for the interior of a car to turn into an oven.

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

Cover the steering wheel

The steering wheel is often made of leather or carbon fiber, which can absorb and retain heat. To prevent this, it is advisable to cover the steering wheel with a cloth when parking the car, shielding it from direct sunlight.

The gear shift knob is another component that heats up quickly. Before exiting the vehicle, 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 knob’s surface.

Use a car cover

Since the car’s body is made of metal, it can act like a boiling pot when left in the sun with the doors closed. To mitigate this, you can use a car cover to shield the entire vehicle, reducing its exposure to direct sunlight and lowering the internal temperature.

Additionally, consider using reflective sunshades on the steering wheel and dashboard, which are areas that receive direct sunlight. Many car owners also opt for heat-insulating window films to reduce the amount of heat entering the vehicle.


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Open one window and repeatedly open and close the opposite door

One of the quickest ways to cool down the cabin is to open one window and repeatedly open and close the opposite door about 5-10 times to push out the hot air.

Leave a slight gap in the windows or sunroof when parked

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

Park in shaded areas

Whenever possible, park your car in shaded areas, such as under a tree, in a garage, or in the shadow of a building. If no shade is available, you can use sunshades or a car cover to protect the interior from direct sunlight. Internal sunshades are also an effective way to block heat from entering the cabin.

According to VTC News

Frequently asked questions

When sunlight enters your car, it gets trapped and turns into heat. This heat gets absorbed by the various surfaces in your car, causing the temperature inside to rise significantly.

There are several ways to keep your car cool. Using a sunshade on your windshield is an effective method, as it blocks sunlight from entering the car. You can also use window tinting, which helps reflect sunlight away. Keeping your car well-ventilated is important too; ensure you park in a shaded area and leave windows slightly open to allow hot air to escape.

You can try portable or battery-operated fans that can be placed inside the car to circulate air. Also, consider using heat-reflective fabrics for your car seats, which can prevent the interior from heating up too much. Additionally, you can invest in a solar-powered car vent fan that automatically turns on when the sun is out, keeping the car’s interior cool.

Window tints are quite effective in reducing the amount of heat that builds up inside your car. They block a significant portion of the sun’s infrared radiation, which is responsible for generating heat. As a result, your car’s interior remains cooler, and the air conditioning system doesn’t have to work as hard to cool the car down.

Yes, aside from keeping your car cool, sunshades and window tints also protect your car’s interior from fading and cracking due to prolonged sun exposure. They can also reduce glare, improving visibility while driving, and provide added privacy for your vehicle.