25th March 2020
Whether it's the height of British summertime, we're experiencing an unexpected heatwave or you're simply seeking preparation tips for summer driving, our helpful guide has you covered. From choosing the most strategic parking spots to top tips on travel time, learn how to keep your car cool this summer with help from Merityre.
Keeping the interior of the car cool on summer's days is one of the most important ways to avoid overheating. Dependent on the type of vehicle you have, you may have leather or vinyl seats - which can directly lead to a hot and sticky driving experience.
Top tip: throw a blanket over your car seats when you exit the vehicle. Not only does this make for a much more comfortable driving experience, but also prevents passengers from burning the back of their legs, too!
Another element to bear in mind is how hot the steering wheel can get, particularly if you have metal areas on your steering wheel. Investing in a steering wheel cover is a great idea for the warmer months - or even throwing a tea towel over it when you leave the car!
Ever thought about investing in window visors or window shades? This is especially handy if you have young children, simply by attaching a suctioned window shade to the rear windows of your car, you can keep direct sunlight off the rear seat and passengers.
When you're travelling in the car, pulling down the window visors may not completely block the sunlight heating up the car from the windscreen - but it will generally help to keep the car cooler.
When parked up, a handy trick is to crack the windows slightly so there is a flow of fresh air getting into the vehicle. However, only do this when it's safe to do so - and only if you're away from your vehicle for short periods of time. When you come back to your vehicle, open all the windows (and the sunroof, if you have one) - as this is the quickest way to expel the heat from the car.
Choosing where you park can make all the difference when trying to keep your car cool in the warmer months. Avoid spots with direct sunlight and that are likely to have no shade throughout the day - nobody wants to return to their car feeling like they're stepping into a furnace!
Also, it's important to consider the position of the sun when you park up. There's nothing worse than initially parking in a shaded spot to then return 8 hours later to your car parked in direct sunlight. Park strategically and consider where the shady spots will be when you will be returning to your car. You may not be able to avoid the car having direct sunlight at any point of the day, but it'll likely be much cooler for the drive home if it's spent the last few hours in the shade!
When the weather is really heating up, it may be best to keep travel time to a minimum, or in the cooler hours. Driving when the sun is low and the temperatures are cooler will provide a much more comfortable driving experience - rather than driving around at lunchtime to run errands in the hottest point of the day. You may even want to consider getting up slightly earlier to leave for work if the mornings are heating up!
Sometimes, the weather can just be too hot to bear to drive, especially on long distances. You may have followed all our summer driving tips - but your vehicle (and you) simply just can't cool down. Be aware that this is where you need to keep an eye out for signs of overheating. If you're finding it difficult to stay cool, you could be at risk of dehydration. Know when it's time to pull over and get some fresh air. A gentle walk around a shaded area with fresh air may help you cool down.
Now you've learnt how to keep your car cool in summer, let your nearest Merityre Specialists help you with any service you require - whether that's air con recharge or simply booking in for your next car service. Get in touch with a member of our expert team for any more information.