When it gets unbearably hot, your instinctive response is to turn on your vehicle’s air conditioning. However, the A/C might not be available sometimes. Perhaps you want to reduce fuel costs, or the A/C isn’t working. Whatever your situation, you’ll want to stay cool. Here are some smart tips and tricks for how to keep your car cool without A/C.
Stay in the Shade
Never leave your vehicle under the sun. It’s effectively a big oven on wheels. The interior will transform into a sauna if your car or truck stays under the noon sun for hours.
Instead, park in the shade whenever you can. Look for a parking lot with a roof or a tree with thick foliage. Also, remember that the sun moves in the sky, so what might count as cover when you park your car or truck might lose its shade later.
If you can’t find a shady parking spot, bring some shade with you. A windshield sun shade blocks sunlight passing through the windshield. The sun shade will help keep your car or truck cool.
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Roll Down the Car Windows
Need to stay cool without running the A/C? Roll down the car windows and let fresh air flow into your car. It works best when your vehicle is constantly moving at high speeds.
Open at least two car windows. Multiple entry points help air circulate more effectively through the cabin interior. Furthermore, opening more than one window reduces the loud noise generated by Helmholtz resonance when you drive at specific speeds.
Minimize wind by rolling down the front and rear windows on the same side. Alternatively, roll the car windows down just enough to let enough air enter through the gap. An open window creates drag that disrupts the vehicle’s aerodynamic profile, reducing speed and forcing the engine to burn more fuel to overcome the problem. The bigger the opening, the more drag it generates.
Leaving your car outside? Slightly open the windows to dissipate heat without unduly compromising your vehicle’s security.
Some models have a fresh air vent with a fan that draws air into the cabin. You can open the vent and activate the fan. If you do, open one of the rear windows to draw a draft through the interior.
If your vehicle has a back window or sunroof, you can open those to let the air in. However, driving around with an open sunroof or rear window might have complications.
Having difficulty rolling a window up or down? Your vehicle might need a replacement door window. Get one that fits your car or truck like a factory-issue part.
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Turn On the Interior Fan
Open windows don’t just let air in your car. They also admit unpleasant things like dirt, dust, rain, snow, and small animals. Thus, there are times when you can’t roll down the windows to cool off without a working A/C.
Instead of opening the windows, you can turn on the interior fan. It’s a small electric fan that blows air across the cabin. You can turn it on to generate airflow in your car without rolling down a window while it’s raining or snowing.
If your vehicle doesn’t have a factory-issue interior fan, you can install one. These fans usually plug into the cigarette lighter, 12-volt port, or USB port. Depending on their size and attachment method, the fans can fit on the dashboard, rear-view mirror, or sun visor. Before you get an interior fan, check if your state prohibits installing a fan on the dashboard.
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Install Cooling Seat Covers
The air isn’t the only thing in your vehicle that can heat up. Car seats trap heat from the light that reaches them. If you leave your car or truck under the sun for too long, you can end up on a hot seat.
Fortunately, you can keep your car seats cool by installing cooling seat covers made from breathable materials like mesh and microfiber. Air can move through the cover’s porous material and carry heat away, lowering the seat’s temperature. Some cooling car seat covers even have a small fan that plugs into the 12-volt system and helps circulate air through the cushion.
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- Seat Designs K025-12-3OCH Cool Mesh Series Front Row Seat Cover
- Seat Designs K020-4M-0OSV Cool Mesh Series Front Row Seat Cover
- Seat Designs K212-19-2OCH Cool Mesh Series Front Row Seat Cover
Cover the Steering Wheel
The steering wheel can also get hot. It’s made of materials like leather, metal, plastic, and rubber that absorb heat from sunlight. If you touch the hot surface with your unprotected hands, you’ll feel pain and possibly even get burned.
Just like with the car seats, you can cover the steering wheel to keep it cool. A popular DIY option is to drape a white towel over the wheel. The white fabric reflects sunlight, keeping the steering wheel from heating up.
The downside to this approach is that people will give your vehicle funny looks if they see a bath towel hanging on the steering wheel. Instead, you can install a steering wheel cover that regulates the wheel’s temperature during hot and cold periods. Furthermore, the cover helps you grip the steering wheel more securely.
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- Dash Designs 3313BK Comfort Grips Ultra Plush Steering Wheel Cover
- Dash Designs 3353GY Comfort Grip Multi Grip Steering Wheel Cover
- Dash Designs 3316GY Comfort Grips Ultra Plush Combo Pack Steering Wheel Cover
Buckle the Seat Belts
The seat belt buckle is another part with the tendency to get painfully hot. Its metal component absorbs heat, so leaving your car under the sun can make the buckle hot enough that you might drop it out of surprise and pain.
Before you step out of your vehicle, buckle the seat belts. Hiding the buckle’s tongue within the buckle will shield the metal component from direct exposure to sunlight that will otherwise heat it.
However, seat belt buckles might develop issues that prevent them from buckling or unbuckling. If one of the buckles gets stuck, it might be time to replace it.
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- GenuineXL 90686003699051 Genuine Mercedes Benz Seat Belt Buckle
- GenuineXL Genuine Porsche Seat Belt Receptacle
- APA/URO Parts 72111917406K Seat Belt Buckle
Bring Cold Drinks For Yourself
Aside from keeping your vehicle cool during trips, you must also stay cool yourself. Bring an insulated water bottle that contains your preferred beverage and ice.
You’ll need an easy-to-reach storage space for your water bottle that won’t get in the way of driving. Most vehicles have at least one cup holder. But if your car or truck lacks an appropriate holder, it might be time to get one.
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Knowing how to keep your car cool without A/C can be a boon in today’s economy. Save on fuel costs without sacrificing your comfort or health while you save up to repair a faulty A/C.
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
