20 Tips on How to Keep Your Car Cool in the Summer
Posted on June 6, 2025
Even the fanciest cars can't escape the discomfort of a blazing hot interior under certain conditions. When it's scorching outside, hopping into a car that's been baking in the sun for hours is never enjoyable.
Imagine, when it's a scorching summer day hitting 80°F or higher, your car can easily soar past 120°F, especially if it's been sitting in direct sunlight. Getting into a blazing hot car can be seriously uncomfortable.
But don’t worry, there are lots of tricks to steer clear of this situation. Keep reading to learn why your car turns into an oven in the summer heat and how you can keep it cool while parked.
Understanding the Causes of Car Overheating
Typically, engines overheat due to issues with the cooling system, like a malfunctioning radiator fan, a busted water pump, or a faulty thermostat.
Combine these problems with scorching temperatures, and your car becomes more prone to overheating. That's why you often spot stranded cars by the roadside in summer.
A car's engine usually runs between 190 and 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it hits 230 degrees Fahrenheit, it overheats. If it climbs past 245 degrees Fahrenheit, damage could occur.
20 Tips on How to Keep Cool in the Summer
Driving in a scorching car can be uncomfortable and draining. Fortunately, there are simple tricks to quickly bring down the temperature inside your vehicle.
1. Choose a Shaded Spot for Parking
Not only does this preserve your dashboard from drying and cracking, but it also makes getting into your car much more bearable. Look for shaded spots like carports, tree cover (just watch out for birds!), or underground parking.
In safe areas, crack the windows slightly to let hot air escape; otherwise, it gets trapped inside the glass, making your car feel like an oven.
2. Get Yourself a Solar-powered Fan
With just a crack in the windows, this fan can effectively bring down the temperature inside your car, even when it's scorching outside. It works by circulating the air, kicking out the hot air, and keeping your car cool.
3. Try Seat Covers
During scorching days, leather or vinyl seats can turn into hot plates under the summer sun. Covering your seats can be a game-changer. Just drape blankets or towels over the seats or invest in seat covers for a hassle-free way to keep things chill.
4. Cooling Seat Cushions
Not only do these seat cushions keep your car cool, but they also alleviate the stress of long drives. They're not just for cars either; cooling cushions are also a popular choice for making extended seating sessions in homes or offices more enjoyable.
5. Use Window Curtains
They're easy to set up and effectively shield your car from sunlight coming in from different angles. Choose window curtains crafted from Tetoron material, a type of polyester fiber known for its UV-blocking capabilities and heat insulation.
6. Enhance Your Ride with Window Sunshades
Window sunshades are a smart way to keep your car cool and shield it from harmful UV rays. You'll find various options out there, including shades that attach directly to your windows. These shades keep the interior cooler and cut down on glare while maintaining visibility.
7. Utilize a Dash Cover
Shield your car's vulnerable vinyl from sun damage with a fabric or upholstered dash cover. This simple addition helps prevent fading and cracking caused by exposure to sunlight, keeping your dashboard looking fresh for longer.
8. Try Conditioning Products
Get leather or vinyl protectants for your car's interior. Look for low-gloss options to reduce glare. Leather seats suffer in the summer heat, so keep them clean and crack-free with regular leather conditioner application. Wipe the dashboard often with a microfiber cloth to prevent scratches from dirt and dust buildup.
9. Get Your Windows Tinted
By reducing the amount of sunlight entering the car, tinted windows help to keep the interior cooler and protect against UV rays. However, you must adhere to local regulations regarding window tinting, as different regions have specific laws governing the allowable level of tint.
10. Protect your Things
Prioritize the safety of delicate items such as CDs, tapes, and other sensitive belongings by shielding them from direct sunlight. To prevent similar incidents, consider storing these items under the car seat, utilizing a heat-friendly carrier, or covering them with a protective blanket to shield them from the sun's damaging effects.
11. Cool Your System
To safeguard your engine from overheating, the cooling system must be inspected regularly and monitor the coolant levels. Additionally, ensuring that all fluids, including motor oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid, are at the recommended levels is essential for maintaining optimal performance.
12. Battery Check in Hot Weather
In hot weather, the use of air conditioning can accelerate battery wear and lead to faster evaporation of battery fluid, ultimately reducing the battery's lifespan. You must have the battery and charging system regularly inspected by a professional mechanic to keep optimal performance.
13. Troubleshooting Your Car's A/C
If your car's air conditioning isn't cooling sufficiently, it could be due to a low refrigerant charge level in the A/C system, indicating a potential issue. It's advisable to have the A/C system professionally inspected to ensure optimal performance.
14. Tire Maintenance in Hot Weather
During hot summer weather, you must monitor tire condition closely. Regularly check the tire pressure using an accurate gauge and inspect the tire tread. A simple monthly tire check can significantly contribute to road safety.
15. Fan the Interior
Turn on the car's fan to its highest setting. This will help circulate the air inside, expelling the hot air trapped within the cabin.
16. Use the Lower Air Vents
Direct the airflow from the air conditioning system toward the lower air vents. Cooler air naturally sinks, so focusing on the lower vents helps to distribute it more effectively throughout the car.
17. Keep the Windows Open
When you first enter a hot car, roll down all the windows to allow hot air to escape quickly. This allows for rapid ventilation and helps in cooling down the interior faster.
18. Close the Windows and Switch to Recirculated Air
Once the temperature inside the car starts to drop, close the windows and switch the air conditioning system to recirculated air mode. This prevents hot air from outside from re-entering the car and helps maintain the cooler temperature you've achieved.
19. Protect Your Steering Wheel with a Hand Towel
Wrap your steering wheel with a hand towel for added protection. Even when employing a sunshade, it's advisable to shield your steering wheel with a small towel. This precaution helps maintain a cooler contact temperature for your hands while driving.
20. Schedule a Routine Vehicle Inspection
Car engines can overheat when problems arise in the cooling system, causing a disruption in temperature regulation. To prevent this issue, it's essential to schedule regular vehicle checkups, particularly during the summer months when the likelihood of overheating is heightened.
Remember Your Car Checks with Summer FORCES
Make sure your car is summer-ready with the mnemonic 'FORCES' for a smooth journey:
- F: Fuel. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially in heavy traffic and start-stop conditions common in warm weather.
- O: Oil. Regularly check your oil level to prevent engine damage and overheating during traffic jams.
- R: Rubber. Inspect your tires for even wear and proper tread depth. Proper tire pressure is crucial for a good grip in wet and icy conditions.
- C: Coolant. Maintain proper coolant levels to regulate engine temperature. Low levels could indicate a problem requiring immediate attention.
- E: Electrical. Check lights, indicators, wipers, and windows for any issues, ensuring clear visibility and operational safety.
- S: Screen wash. Keep your windscreen clean with quality screen wash, especially after trips, to prevent bugs and debris buildup.
Following these simple steps will keep your car running smoothly and safely during the summer months.
Don't Let Summer Heat Ruin Your Ride
Remember, a well-maintained car enhances your driving experience and contributes to its longevity and resale value. For more expert advice and resources on car maintenance and care, visit CarHub North York Chrysler
Whether you're looking for tips on cooling your car or need assistance with any automotive needs, CarHub North York Chrysler is your trusted partner on the road to a smoother ride.