Beat the Heat: Summer Car Tips to Keep Cool
Everyone looks forward to warm summer weather, but rising temperatures and heatwaves can quickly make your vehicle uncomfortable. Whether you're caught in traffic or heading off on a staycation, excessive heat can affect both your comfort and your concentration.
Parking in the shade, using a windscreen sunshade, ventilating the cabin before switching on the air conditioning, and keeping your cooling system maintained can make journeys much more comfortable and help prevent overheating.
Follow our top tips below to keep your car, passengers and journeys cool throughout the summer.
Park smart
Where should you park to keep your car cool?
Parking in the shade is one of the easiest ways to reduce heat build-up inside your car. Whenever possible, choose covered parking, multi-storey car parks or spaces shaded by buildings or trees to keep your vehicle out of direct sunlight.
If you’re leaving your car for the day, it’s worth considering where the sun will be by the time you return. A shaded spot at 9 am can easily be completely exposed to the sun by 5 pm.
Use a windscreen sunshade
Go a step further to shield your car by picking up a windscreen cover. The shiny, reflective foil side faces outwards to reflect solar rays that pass through your windscreen. By preventing heat from building up and getting trapped in your car, the overall cabin temperature remains much milder than it would without a cover.
Windscreen sunshades can also help protect your dashboard and interior trim from UV damage, reducing the risk of fading, cracking and warping over time. Parking in the shade or using a full car cover can also help preserve your vehicle's paintwork, while regular waxing or ceramic protection provides an extra layer of defence against the elements.
Accessories such as steering wheel covers and seat covers can make your car much more comfortable to get into on hot days, particularly if you have leather upholstery. Don't forget that metal seatbelt buckles can also become extremely hot after prolonged exposure to the sun.
Cool your car down quickly
What's the fastest way to cool a hot car?
If your car has already become hot inside, resist the temptation to turn the air conditioning on at full blast straight away.
Instead, open the doors or lower the windows for a minute or two to let trapped hot air escape. If you're already driving, keeping the windows open briefly helps ventilate the cabin before switching on the air conditioning.
Once the hottest air has escaped, switch on the air conditioning and begin cooling the cabin with fresh outside air. After a minute or two, or once the interior temperature has dropped noticeably, select the recirculation setting to cool the cabin more efficiently.
This recycles the cooler air already inside the cabin rather than continually drawing in warmer air from outside, helping your air conditioning work more efficiently.
Get your air con checked
When should you get your air conditioning checked?
If your air conditioning isn't cooling your car as effectively as it should, summer is the perfect time to have it professionally inspected. At National Tyres, our Air Conditioning Diagnostic Check helps identify faults before they develop into more costly repairs, and our experts will:
- Inspect your refrigerant and temperature.
- Check the system for any signs of leakage.
- Help extend the system’s lifespan.
If you notice stale or unpleasant smells coming from your vents, it may be time for an Air Conditioning Antibacterial Clean. This service eliminates up to 99% of bacteria within the air conditioning system, helping to leave your cabin smelling fresher.
It's particularly beneficial if your air conditioning hasn't been used for several months, as moisture can build up within the system over time.
Plan your journey around peak temperatures
If you’re travelling with pets or children, try to plan your journeys around peak-sun times. Setting off later in the evening or early morning rewards you with cooler temperatures than mid-afternoon.
Pack lots of water (frozen bottles can help it stay cold), take regular breaks and rotate drivers if possible to reduce fatigue.
Cooling mats can also help keep pets comfortable, but they should never replace regular breaks and access to fresh water. Most importantly, never leave children or pets alone in a parked vehicle, even for a short time, as temperatures inside a car can rise rapidly.
Reduce direct sunlight
How can you reduce sunlight inside your car?
For the driver and front passenger, adjusting your sun visor can help to protect your eyes as you're driving along. Rear window shades are an option that can help guard your back passengers, which may be especially important for children.
Keeping your windscreen and windows clean also helps reduce glare, making it easier to spot hazards and drive safely in bright conditions.
Keep your engine cool with the right coolant
Keeping passengers cool is important, but your vehicle needs protection from high temperatures too. Checking your coolant level before long summer journeys helps prevent your engine from overheating and keeps it operating efficiently.
Coolant, also known as antifreeze, helps regulate engine temperature, lubricates key components and protects against corrosion by preventing deposits from building up within the cooling system.
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Keeping your car cool in summer doesn't have to be complicated. Simple steps like parking in the shade, using a windscreen sunshade, allowing hot air to escape before switching on the air conditioning and planning journeys outside the hottest part of the day can all make a noticeable difference to your comfort.
While you're looking after your passengers, don't forget about your vehicle too. Regular checks of your air conditioning and coolant can help keep your car performing at its best throughout the warmer months.
Whether you're commuting, heading off on a road trip or enjoying a family staycation, a little preparation goes a long way. If your air conditioning isn't keeping you cool, book an Air Conditioning Diagnostic Check with National Tyres and enjoy a more comfortable drive this summer.
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