Beating the Summer Heat
Unless you are one of the lucky guys who live in Baguio, by now, almost all of us are painfully reminded of the fact that we live in one of the hottest places on Earth. This point is always magnified at this time of the year, especially when we enter our cars after parking under the sun even for just an hour.
While we can't totally beat the power of the Sun, we can minimize that "driving in an oven feeling." Here are some tips to lessen the heat and keep the car's cabin relatively cooler:
GET YOUR AIRCON SERVICED
It may sound obvious but many people tend to overlook the condition of their Airconditioning (A/C )system. Clogged Cabin filters or dirty evaporators and condensers unnecessarily overwork the A/C system will significantly hamper the system's cooling capabilities.
It is also worth mentioning that the engine cooling system is a vital part of keeping the A/C System working properly. Have it serviced as well by flushing out the radiators, checking the leaks and loading fresh coolant. Check the cooling fans if these are still up to speed.
USE SUNSHADES
If you can't find shady area to park, sticking a sun shade to your windows is one of the most effective ways to keep the car cabin cool enough to ride in. Remember to use a sunshade on your rear window as well, especially if you're going to park it for over an hour.
GET A NEW WINDOW TINT
Dark tints don't always offer the highest heat rejection.
There are a variety of lightly tinted films that offer high heat rejection. Go to your favorite Car Accessory Shop and get the tint that offers high heat rejection without sacrificing visibility.
KEEP THE WINDOWS SLIGHTLY OPEN Keeping the windows slightly open when parked under the sun allows cool air in and hot air out. However, make sure the windows aren't rolled down enough to pose a security risk. BUY A SOLAR POWERED EXHAUST FAN Solar powered Window Air Vent Fans are quite effective and help in keeping your car cool even under extended hours in the sun. These solar-powered fans draw hot air out of the cabin via a small solar powered exhaust fan, much like what we have in our personal computers. These fans are widely available in online stores.
COVER THOSE DARK SEATS
Seats with dark upholstery covers, especially leather, tend to get very hot when exposed to direct sunlight. Covering them with a light colored, cotton based seat cover will definitely help keep cabin temperatures in check. Readymade seat covers are widely available in Car Accessory Shops.
COVER THE STEERINGWHEEL AND SHIFT KNOB
The steering wheel and shift knob often get too hot to handle after a few hours under the sun.Steering wheel covers are available in Car Accessory shops. But an old shirt and an old glove to cover the steering wheel and shift knob will do.
Keep these tips in check and you'll have better chances of enjoying driving under the sun.