With spring arriving and summer right around the corner, it's time to put away the sweaters and start thinking about how to stay cool. After hours parked in the sun, your car can become an oven. As anyone familiar with auto services can attest, this is more than just extremely uncomfortable—it can crack the plastic and damage the leather of your interior, too. Below are some of the most effective ways to keep your vehicle cool this summer.

5 Tips for Keeping Your Parked Car Cool

1. Crack the Windows

You don't want to leave your windows all the way open so that passersby can access your personal belongings, of course. However, if you crack all the side windows an inch or so, the hot air in your car has an escape vent. Used in tandem with tip #2, this is a very effective way to prevent being drenched in sweat thirty seconds after you get into the car.

2. Use a Sun Shield

A sun shield is a layer of bubble wrap sandwiched between two layers of reflective foil. Placed in your windshield and propped up by your sun visors, it will reflect sunlight away, shade your car's interior, and minimize a great deal of the greenhouse effect that heats your car up in summer. 

3. Park in the Shade

The easiest trick of all to keep your car a pleasant temperature is simply looking for—and parking under—a convenient tree. Kept out of direct sunlight, your vehicle won't feel like a sauna when you return on a warm day. Other ways to find shade are to park alongside buildings or to sidle up next to the tallest truck in the parking lot. If a parking deck is an option at your destination, take advantage of it.

4. Use a Damp Cloth

Leather seats can feel scorching in the summer when you're wearing shorts or a skirt. To cool them down quickly, keep a clean cloth and a bottle of water in the car. Dampen the cloth, and wipe down the seats and steering wheel. The cloth will absorb some of the heat, and the process of evaporation literally draws heat energy away from the hot materials.

5. Have Your Air Conditioner Recharged

Once you get back behind the wheel, the most efficient way to gain total control over comfort is to take your car in for auto service. Recharging your refrigerant and checking the hoses and compressor will make a huge difference. An effective air conditioner is a blessing and makes driving dramatically more convenient and comfortable under the North Carolina sun.

When you want reliable, affordable auto services, contact P & T Automotive Repair in High Point, NC. They’ve been helping motorists throughout Guilford County since 1986. They specialize in wheel alignment, windshield repair, brake service, and general auto maintenance—including air conditioner charging and repair. Visit their website to see what previous customers have to say, then call (336) 869-8051 to make an appointment for auto service.