Summer is here in all its heat and glory, and this is by far one of the hottest we’ve experienced. The rise in temperature isn’t affecting only our planet and all the beings on it, but also your car. For drivers who don’t enjoy intense heat, getting into a car that has been parked in hot weather can feel like being roasted alive, not to mention that it puts serious wear on your car over time. Here are some simple tips to keep your car cool for the summer.

 

Get your A/C checked

This is essential! You don’t want to spend the next three months driving with the windows open and fill your car with dust while sweating bullets. If you think you might have an issue with your air conditioning, we say get it checked as soon as possible.

 

Check your filters

While getting you’re A/C checked you might as well check all your filters as well. When the temperature rises, so does the pollen count. And as more vehicles hit the road, the amount of harmful gases and dust being thrown into the air increases. This can get into your engine and vehicle cabin doing potential damage to both you and your car. So check your vehicle’s engine air filter and cabin air filter, replacing them if necessary.

 

Use a sunshade or window visor

This tried-and-true method of keeping your car cool should be your go-to option to counteract hot interior temps throughout the summer. Put up a sunshade or window visor every time you exit your car for more than a few minutes. Keep it even cooler for long periods by putting a sunshade in your rear window as well.

 

Use a dash cover

A fabric or upholstered dash cover can go a long way towards making your car’s interior more comfortable. You won’t feel as overwhelmed by the heat if you don’t have to touch hot vinyl surfaces. Dash covers also protect sensitive vinyl from sun damage that can cause cracking and fading.

 

Cover your steering wheel with a hand towel or a cover

Even if you use a sunshade, it’s a good idea to cover your steering wheel with a small towel or a cover. This will help to keep the contact temperature of your steering wheel down.

 

Protect your interior and avoid the UV rays

As the sun heats up, so do the unfriendly UV rays that are out to get your car. The vinyl, plastics, rubber and leather that make up your vehicle’s interiors are all susceptible to premature ageing as a result of UV exposure, leaving your plastics looking greyed out and making your leather crack and feel dry. Thankfully, you will find a wide variety of interior protectants and leather conditioners to help keep your interior surfaces protected from the elements to make your vehicle’s cabin looks fresher for longer.

 

Park in a shady area

A rarity in Kathmandu but whenever possible, park in a shady area, at a garage or under a tree maybe. The bird excrements might be hard to clean but your car will thank you for it. If you’re going to be somewhere for an extended period of time, it’s worth it to walk a bit in order to park in the shade. You’ll be happy to enter a not-so-hot car when you return from your day out.

 

Keep your precious possessions out of the sun

Any type of food, CDs or delicate items that you keep in your car should be stored out of the path of direct sunlight. Try storing them underneath the seat. You can also throw a blanket over your precious possessions. If you can’t find a place in your car that will conceal heat-sensitive goods, consider placing them in the boot.

 

Keep windows slightly opened

While you should not leave your windows open all the way, it is a good idea to leave them slightly open. Check to be sure that you can’t fit your arm through the crack in your window. Even a small crack will promote ventilation and help to keep your car cool.

 

Occasional exterior wax job

The heat will wear out the cladding and other plastic bits on the exterior of your car. To prevent this, when you’re giving your car a wash, wax and polish, be sure to use a good wax for your claddings to keep your vehicle’s exterior plastics looking new as well as to protect them from UV radiation. Being made of rubber, your tires also need similar treatment from a tire cleaner to keep from cracking, ageing and make them shiny black for days.