Anyone who has slid onto a black leather seat in July knows that a parked car in the sun can get uncomfortably hot. Heat also wears on your car’s interior over time, fading dashboards and drying out materials. You cannot change the weather, but a few simple choices about where and how you park can make a noticeable difference.
Start with where you park
Shade is the best sunshade. A garage, a covered lot or the shadow of a building or tree keeps the sun off the glass and the interior. When you arrive somewhere, think about where the shade will be when you return, not just where it is now. The sun moves across the sky, so a spot shaded in the morning may be in full sun by afternoon.
Parking with the windshield facing away from the sun, when you can, also helps. The large front glass lets in more heat than the side windows, and keeping it out of direct sunlight reduces how much the dashboard and steering wheel absorb.
Windshield sunshades
A reflective windshield sunshade is one of the most useful summer accessories you can own. It blocks direct sunlight from the dashboard, steering wheel and front seats. Shades come in folding, roll-up and custom-fit styles. A custom-fit shade made for your vehicle’s windshield shape tends to cover more glass, while universal shades are easier to find and move between cars.
- Store the shade where you can reach it quickly, such as behind a seat or in a door pocket
- Make sure it covers the area behind the rearview mirror
- Remove it fully before driving so it never blocks your view
Protecting seats, wheels and surfaces
Seat covers, light-colored towels or blankets can keep seats cooler to the touch. A steering wheel cover or a small towel draped over the wheel helps you avoid grabbing a hot surface. Side window shades for rear passengers can block sun while driving, though check your state’s rules on window coverings and tint, since they vary.
Seat belt buckles and metal parts of child car seats can get very hot. Check them with your hand before buckling a child in, and cover the car seat with a light cloth when it is empty.
Cooling the car quickly when you return
When you get back to a hot car, open the doors or windows for a moment to let the hottest air escape before you start driving. Turn on the air conditioning, and once the cabin begins to cool, switch to recirculate. Avoid sitting in an idling car for long periods in a parking lot, which wastes fuel and adds emissions.
What not to leave in a hot car
Some items do not handle heat well. Keep these out of a parked car on hot days when you can:
- Phones, tablets, laptops and other electronics
- Aerosol cans, lighters and pressurized containers
- Medications, which may have storage instructions you should follow
- Food, sunscreen and crayons, which can spoil or melt
Above all, never leave children or pets in a parked car. A sunshade makes the interior more comfortable but does not make a car safe for anyone left inside. With a little planning, you can return to a car that is merely warm instead of overheated.
A Parking-Lot Shade Strategy, Step by Step
Finding shade is easier when you think about it like a short checklist rather than a lucky find.
- Estimate your return time. If you will be gone an hour, the shade will shift only a little. If you will be gone all afternoon, think about where shadows will fall later in the day.
- Use the sun’s path. In most of the United States, the summer sun rises in the east, travels high across the southern part of the sky and sets in the west. Afternoon shade usually falls on the east side of buildings and trees.
- Look for overhead cover. Covered rows, parking decks and upper levels of garages below the roof all keep the sun off your glass. The top level of an open garage, on the other hand, is often the hottest place to park.
- Choose light pavement when you can. Light concrete tends to reflect more heat than dark asphalt, which can make a small difference on very hot days.
- Be careful under some trees. Trees that drip sap or attract birds can leave a mess on paint. If you park under one, rinse the car soon after.
Long-Term Care for a Car That Lives Outside
If your car sits in the sun most days, heat and ultraviolet light wear on it over time. A few habits help it age better.
- Clean and condition the dashboard and seats. Use products made for your interior materials, and follow the manufacturer’s guidance.
- Wash and protect the paint. Regular washing removes dust, pollen and bird droppings that can bake onto the surface in summer. A wax or sealant adds a layer of protection.
- Consider a car cover for long stays. If the car will sit for days, a breathable cover can protect paint and interior. Make sure it fits well and is secured so it does not flap in the wind and scratch the finish.
- Check wiper blades. Rubber blades can harden and crack in the sun. Replace them when they start to streak.
Common Mistakes When Cooling a Parked Car
- Leaving the sunshade in the back seat. A shade you do not use does nothing. Keep it where you can grab it in one motion.
- Using the shade while driving. Always remove it fully and store it before you put the car in gear.
- Blasting cold air with the windows shut immediately. Letting the hottest air out first helps the air conditioning work more efficiently.
- Trusting shade to make a car safe. Shade lowers the temperature but never makes a car safe for children or pets.
Questions Drivers Ask About Summer Heat and Parking
Do tinted windows keep a car cooler?
Tint can reduce some heat and glare, but legal limits for darkness vary by state, especially on the front side windows and windshield. Check your state’s rules before adding tint.
Is it worth paying more for a covered space?
For daily commuters in hot climates, a covered space can mean a more comfortable drive home and less wear on the interior over the years. Whether it is worth it depends on your budget and how long the car sits each day.
Are solar-powered car fans helpful?
Some drivers like them for moving a bit of air, but they are not a substitute for shade, a sunshade or cracking open the doors before you drive.
A few minutes of thought when you park adds up to a cooler car and a longer-lasting interior.
