Tips to avoid making your car a virtual oven

Tips to avoid making your car a virtual oven

When the temperature rises outside, the combination of extreme heat, direct sunlight and closed windows can turn a parked car into a virtual oven with dashboard temperatures reaching up to about 192 defrees F.

Recent tests, conducted for Auto Expressions, found that on an 89-degree F day, air trapped inside your vehicle can heat up within minutes. In a parked car without a sunshade, the dashboard heats up to 192 degrees F, high enough to cook a chicken and the steering wheel tops out at 191 degrees F, high enough to grill a hamburger.

In the same extreme conditions, a car using an accordion-style sunshade in the windshield was able to keep the cars interior an average of 43 degrees F cooler.

Sunshades reflect sunrays by blocking the sunlight coming through the windshield, helping to reduce the heat and block 99 percent of damaging UV rays. Additionally, the use of a sunshade helps protect a car's interior, preventing possible fading, cracking or discoloration.

"Using a sunshade and other sun-protection products in your vehicle are simple and effective ways to help keep you and your car cooler," said Laurie Stevens, director of marketing for Auto Expressions accessories. "It's vital that drivers take extra precautionary steps to help protect themselves, their passengers and their vehicle from the sun's damaging rays."

Tips to Help Beat the Summer Heat:

- Park in the shade whenever possible.

- Use a sunshade to help reduce the heat buildup.

- Use a fabric-based steering wheel cover to help protect your hands.

- Open doors and let the air circulate in the car for a few minutes before getting into the car.

- Set your air conditioner to "regular or fresh air" before switching to "maximum."

How to Reduce Car Damage

- Use a sunshade to help reduce heat and sun-damage in your vehicle.

- Protect steering wheels, dashboard and seats with covers.

- Wash your vehicle regularly and use a wax with a UV absorber.

- Maintain vinyl and leather interiors with a UV absorbent cleaner/protectant.

- Have your cabin air filter and air-conditioning systems serviced annually.