7 Tips for Reducing Florida Heat in Your Car

While Florida is a beautiful place to live, the Florida heat can be a lot to deal with. Learn how to keep your car from getting too hot here.

You return to your car on a hot Florida day and sit down on the leather seat, only to be rewarded with a seatbelt and steering wheel too hot to touch.

A parked car is known to get roughly 40 degrees hotter than the temperature outside when the weather heats up. This change in temperature can not only damage your car's interior, but it can lead to safety concerns for passengers, too. 

So what can you do to help keep the inside of your car from getting too hot?

Keep reading for seven tips on how to keep a parked car cool in the Florida heat. 

1. Find the Shade

This is one of the easiest ways to prevent your car from overheating while you're out and about. 

Look for a spot that gets a fair amount of shade, like under a group of trees or right next to a tall building. Parking your car here will help keep it cool so you can get back in comfortably.

But keep in mind that the shade moves depending on where the sun is in the sky. You might find the perfect shady spot to park under, but if you're going to be gone for more than an hour or two, the shade might have disappeared by the time you get back to your car. 

For this reason, a parking garage is always a great option for consistent shade. 

2. Use Sun Shades

Some people think sun shades for your car windows are a hassle, or they don't like how they look in the car. But windshield sun shades are very effective in keeping out the heat. 

Prop a sun shade up against your windshield to block out the sunlight from reaching your dashboard and front seats. You can even get one for the back window too, helping keep your car even cooler. 

If you want to step it up, opt for a high-quality windshield sun shade that's made with materials that absorb heat. 

3. Cover Up the Interior

A good way to prevent your seats and steering wheel from burning your hands and legs when you get in the car on a hot day is to cover them up when you get out of the car. 

You can do this by purchasing steering wheel covers and seat covers. Choose lighter colors that will help reflect the sun, especially if you have dark leather seats that tend to trap heat. 

If you don't want to purchase special covers, throwing a blanket over your steering wheel and front seat will do the trick too! (Again, just make sure the blanket is a light shade.)

4. Get Your Windows Tinted

Tinting your vehicle's windows is not only a great way to prevent a hot car interior, but it can also help save your interior (and your skin!) from harmful UV rays. 

With a tint, your car windows will be darkened. This keeps out the UV rays and glare while still letting plenty of light in for you to see while driving. 

One thing to keep in mind if you're considering tinting your windows is that different states have different rules about the level of tinting a vehicle can receive. Be sure to check your state's guidelines (and talk to the tinting professionals!) so you don't get ticketed. 

Have your windows tinted by a pro to ensure the job is done well.

5. Opt for the Garage

If you don't have a garage at home, this won't be an option. But if you do, parking your car in the garage whenever possible will help keep out the heat (as well as prevent the sunlight from damaging your car over time). 

But I'm only going inside for an hour, you might be thinking. Why would I put my car in the garage if I'm just going to use it again? 

Even if you're only going to be in your home for a little while, the amount of time your car sits in the sun makes a difference. It only takes a few minutes for your car to start heating up. If possible, always opt for the garage during hotter months. 

This advice works for carports, too! Any structure that provides shade for your car is an ideal option to park under. 

6. Crack the Windows

Many people roll down their car windows an inch or two before leaving to help keep the car cooler. 

This is an efficient option and works by letting the hot air that has built up in the car leave your car. It also allows a little bit of airflow to move through the vehicle, which is much better than stagnant hot air sitting for a long time.

If you are going to crack your windows, make sure you don't roll them down too much. You don't want to make it easy for someone to reach in through the window and access something in your car.

Always look out for those summer rain showers, too! 

7. Turn on the A/C 

If your car interior is too hot, it's common to turn on the car and let the A/C get up to speed before taking off. In reality, waiting for your car to cool down before driving away actually makes the process take longer.

Instead, crank up the air conditioning and then start driving right afterward. When your car's engine is working at top speed, your A/C will too.

If you want to speed up the cool-down process, roll your car's back windows down for about half a minute to let the hot air out. 

Protect Your Car from the Florida Heat

The Florida heat may have you feeling sluggish and sweaty, but that doesn't mean you have to return to a scalding hot car. By following these simple tips, your car's interior will be better protected from higher temperatures and intense sunlight.

Interested in getting your car's windows tinted? Solar Shade Window Tint is a fantastic choice. Contact us today for a free estimate and to have all your questions answered.