We are in the midst of the longest heatwave to hit the UK in 5 years. The Met Office stated that Sunday 8th was the hottest day in England this year when Gosport, Hampshire, reached 32.4C (90.3F). Porthmadog in north Wales holds the UK record for 2018 of 33C on 28 June. So with temperatures in excess of 30C how can you keep your car cool?
Air conditioning is great, for those who have it, but it doesn’t eliminate the issues when you first enter the car. If you’ve been parked directly in the sun for a long period of time then seats and steering wheels can become unbearably hot. To help you out we have compiled some tips on keeping your car cool:
1. Park in a shaded area
If possible the best way to keep your car cool is to find a shaded area to park. Try to ignore your instinct to park in the closest parking space, instead opt for a shaded spot. A slightly longer walk will be worth it when you enter a cooler car.
2. Cover your steering wheel
Probably the worst part of your car to sit in the sun is your steering wheel. Any driver will now that especially leather steering wheels are sometimes too hot to handle. Popping a small towel over your steering wheel could prevent temperatures getting too hot.
3. Use a sunshade
One of the most successful ways to keep your car cool is of course to invest in a sunshade or visor.
4. Throw blankets over your seats
If your car has leather seats you know just how hot these materials can become when exposed to sunlight and high temperatures. A quick and easy way to keep car seats cool is to throw blankets over them. Keeping your seats cool will make your car a much more pleasant place to be on a hot summers day.
5. Keep your possessions out of sight
As well as the car components themselves getting too hot any possessions left in the car are susceptible to rising temperatures. Metal items for example sunglasses can quickly become extremely hot. Try to keep everything out of direct sunlight.
We hope these tips make your car a more habitable space until that lifeline of air conditioning kicks in. If you’re enjoying the sunshine why not check out our blog on the best UK driving roads a great guide to making the most of your driving experience.
We have also produced a blog on how to prepare your car for the summer here.