Is Your Car an Oven?

The air trapped inside a vehicle on a 95° F day can heat up quickly; the steering wheel can reach 159° F; the seat can reach 162° F; and the dashboard can heat up to 181° F, all this within a few hours or less.

The temperature inside the vehicle without a sunshade actually becomes hot enough to bake chicken, eggs, bacon and cookies.

Sunshades act as insulators, keeping vehicle interiors up to 49° F cooler and blocking 99 percent of UV rays. This is like using sunscreen for your skin and will protect the second most expensive purchase you make.

To illustrate this point:

• Steering wheel 159° F = temperature to cook medium-rare beef.
• Dashboard can heat up to 181° F = temperature to cook poultry.
• Seats can reach 162° F = temperature to cook ground beef.

Sun or heat damage can destroy your vehicle’s interior:

• Faded upholstery.
• Cracked dashboard.
• Cracked leather upholstery.
• Cracked steering wheel.

Prove It!

If you use a sunshade, it is easier to resell your vehicle. Why? The resale value can drop as much as $1,000 to $2,000 with interior sun and heat damage. Interior and exterior condition affects the value of your car, SUV or truck.

Sunshades help passengers avoid burning themselves on a vehicle’s upholstery, steering wheel, seat, etc.

Sunshades prices range from $2.49 to $14.99. (You can buy these at any mass merchandiser or car parts store)

Other things you can do to protect your car:

• Steering wheel covers.
• Window tint film.
• Seat covers.
• Keeping a good coat of wax on your paint.

Pro Tip: Remove the bird and bug droppings as quickly ad you can, these droppings can destroy your paint, then apply a coat of wax to protect the value. More tips for your summer road trip. Get all your mechanical and batteries checked, the heat will really put a toll on your battery as well. Pep Boys will check your battery, free of charge.

Lauren Fix, The Car Coach® is a nationally recognized automotive expert, media guest, journalist, author, keynote speaker and television host. Post your comments on Twitter: @LaurenFix or on her Facebook Page.