Is the summer heat getting you down?

In our latest blog, we talked about the many ways that the heat can impact your vehicle. However, the effects of heat go beyond damage to your tires and battery life. They also have a significant impact on you, the driver! The heat leaves most people to rely heavily on their air conditioner. The air conditioner is a wonderful thing, and we wouldn’t want to live in a world without one, but relying too heavily on it can put added strain on your vehicle’s cooling system. That’s why we’ve come up with these tips for a cooler, more comfortable vehicle:

#1. Park in the shade.

First and foremost, keep your vehicle out of the sun when you park it. If you don’t, the heat will build up in your vehicle, making it hot and uncomfortable when you get back in it. When you park in the shade, you won’t have to immediately turn your air conditioner on when you get in the car, because it will already be a lot more comfortable. Even if you have to walk a little further to find a spot in the shade, it’s worth it.

#2. Use a sunshade.

If you can’t find a shady place to park your vehicle, using a sunshade is the next best thing. Sunshades, also called window visors, are placed in the vehicle directly under the windshield, and they help to keep the sun out of your vehicle. A sunshade is a great thing to keep in the car just in case you can’t find a shady spot to park in, or if you’ll be parked for a long time and the sun will move.

#3. Cover your seats.

If you have black, leather seats, then we don’t need to tell you how painful it can be to sit on those seats when you’re wearing shorts and it’s 90+ degrees outside. One great way to cool off your seats and enjoy a more comfortable ride is to cover your seats up. A seat cover is a wonderful investment, and there are even cooling seat covers out there. However, if you don’t want to spend the money — and you want to keep enjoying the luxury of those leather seats — simply cover them with a blanket or a towel while you’re parked.

#4. Cover your steering wheel.

Sometimes, the steering wheel can get so hot that you can only touch it with the very tips of your fingers. If this is frequently the case in your vehicle, consider investing in a steering wheel cover. Alternatively, if you don’t like the look of a steering wheel cover, you can always cover the steering wheel while you’re parked.

Protect your cooling system with silicone coolant hoses.

All of these tips are great for making your ride cooler and more comfortable, and they can help to reduce a little bit of the stress on your vehicle’s cooling system by reducing the need to crank your AC at all times. However, if you’re worried about your vehicle overheating, and you want to take steps to protect your cooling system, start by ordering silicone coolant hoses with us at Flex Technologies today.