Summer Tips

Summer Tips

Tips to avoid making your car a virtual oven

When the temperature rises outside, the combination of extreme heat, direct sunlight and closed windows can turn a parked car into a virtual oven with dashboard temperatures reaching up to about 89°C.

Recent tests, conducted for Auto Expressions (www.auto-expressions.net), found that on a 31°C day, air trapped inside your vehicle can heat up within minutes. In a parked car without a sunshade, the dashboard can be heated up to 89°C -- high enough to cook a chicken -- and the steering wheel tops out at 88°C.

In the same extreme conditions, a car using an accordion style sunshade in the windshield was able to keep the cars interior an average of 23.8°C cooler. Sunshades reflect sunrays by blocking the sunlight coming through the windshield, helping to reduce the heat and block 99% of damaging UV rays.

Additionally, the use of a sunshade helps protect a car's interior, preventing possible fading, cracking or discolouration.

Note: Use common sense and never leave children, the elderly or pets inside your vehicle in the summer heat.

TIPS TO HELP BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT:

• Park in the shade whenever possible.

• Use a sunshade to help reduce the heat buildup.

• Use a fabric-based steering wheel cover to help protect your hands.

• Open doors and let the air circulate in the car for a few minutes before getting into the car.

• Set your air conditioner to 'regular' or 'fresh air' before switching to 'maximum.'

HOW TO REDUCE CAR DAMAGE

• Use a sunshade to help reduce heat and sun-damage in your vehicle.

• Protect steering wheels, dashboard and seats with covers.

• Wash your vehicle regularly and use a wax with a UV absorber.

• Maintain vinyl and leather interiors with a UV absorbent cleaner/protectant.

• Have your cabin air filter and air-conditioning systems serviced annually.

To find out more about tips and products to reduce rising temperatures within the car, visit www.auto-expressions.net.