Car in summer: how to keep the interior cooler
Why a parked car heats up so much in the sun and which simple steps help – from where you park to airing the car before you drive.
A car parked in the sun heats up quickly – often even on mild days. Sunlight comes in through the windows, warms the dashboard, steering wheel and seats, and the heat can hardly escape.
What really helps
- Look for shade: a spot under trees or in a car park helps most. Remember that shade moves during the day.
- Cover the windscreen: a sunshade behind the windscreen keeps direct sun off the dashboard and steering wheel.
- Air the car first: open all doors briefly, drive off with the windows open and switch on the air conditioning afterwards.
- Light-coloured covers: dark surfaces get much hotter in the sun than light ones.
Important
Never leave children or animals in a parked car – not even “just for a minute”, and not with a window slightly open.