Brace yourselves, South Florida, for another sweltering summer. As Floridians put the mild winter behind, once again breaking out the fans and revving up the air conditioning units, it’s the prospect of driving that has many people feeling the heat.
The temperature inside a car, if left completely sealed, can exceed the outside temperature by at least a few degrees. And, given that long-range forecasts say the high-80s are a distinct possibility throughout the summer season, that means cars left parked in the sun are going to be literal ovens on wheels.
How do you manage the heat inside your car? How do you make it so that gripping the steering wheel doesn’t feel like you’re gripping the handle of a cast iron pan fresh from the fire? And how do you remain comfortable during your leisurely drives and afternoon commutes? In this article, let’s look at a few ways to keep cool in your car.
Consider the Convertible
If you’re on the market for a new vehicle, consider the top-down breeze of a quick convertible. As any physicist will tell you, when hot air atoms move rapidly in a similar direction, they have an appreciable cooling ability (it’s essentially the same principle behind a fan) called the “wind chill effect”. It’s science.
Therefore, to keep cool without waiting for the AC to kick in, lease a luxury vehicle at Auto One that has a soft top you can roll back in the summer months.
Choose a Car With Climate Control
What, you might ask, is the different between climate control and good old-fashioned air conditioning? It’s a matter of accuracy. Climate control is a more sophisticated version of automotive AC that’s controlled by the system rather than manually by the user. Automatic Climate Control takes the idea a step further: this advanced system takes the guesswork out of it, keeping your car at an ideal temperature at all times, regardless of the climate outside.
Clean Your Cabin Air Filter
If your car’s AC isn’t working as it should, it might be due to a dirty air filter. As with any filter, a cabin air filter is liable to catch dust and other particles, impeding its ability to effectively accommodate airflow. Thankfully, it’s a simple replacement – either take it to a mechanic, or follow this guide to do it yourself.
Get Picky About Parking
Finally, perhaps the easiest tip is a preventative one. The reason your car is stiflingly hot when you step in it is that it has been left to roast in the direct sunlight. Park your car indoors, if possible. Or, if you can’t park it indoors, at least circle the block once or twice to find a tree-shaded spot. Doing this, your vehicle will be cooler initially and your climate control/AC system will have an easier time cooling the car down.
Whether it’s leasing a new vehicle suited for the South Florida heat, or simply parking under a shady spot, these are a few tips you can follow to ensure a cool summer drive.