Even though we’re heading toward fall, there are plenty of areas that are still experiencing extreme heat at this time of year. If you live in a warm climate, you may have just about had it with driving in a hot car by now. But you don’t have to resign to the heat. There are steps you can take to promote a cooler temperature inside of your car.

What you have to remember about cars is that the windows have a sort of greenhouse effect, warming the interior of the car far beyond the temperature outside. So, the key to a cooler car is blocking out as much of the sun’s rays as possible. Here are a few tips you can try.

• Park in the shade: Whenever possible, look for a shady area or parking garage so you don’t have to leave your car under the hot sun.
• Use sun shades: When you have no choice but to park in the sun, use sun shades to block the rays. This can help your car cool down more quickly once it’s started.
• Pad the seats: You may not have an issue with hot seats if you have a cloth interior, but the story is different for cars with leather seats. Pad it with a towel to help protect your skin, or you can purchase gel seat covers for an added cooling effect.
• Open the windows while driving: It may sound like the opposite of what you should be doing, but it can help to open the windows and blast the air conditioning once you start your car. The cool air pushes out the hot air.
• Inspect your air conditioning: If the air no longer feels cool, visit your mechanic. Your car may need to be topped off with refrigerant or the air conditioning system may need to be recharged.

Stay cool and drive safe as the seasons change. And don’t forget to review your auto insurance annually!

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