Exterior view of sunshade in vehicle dashboard

Are sunshades effective at keeping your car cool in summer?

It doesn’t take a meteorologist to know that western Colorado can get quite hot in the summer. With the semi-arid climate that we’re accustomed to, temperatures can often skyrocket and leave our vehicles blistering in the scalding temperatures. That’s why you’ll see many drivers use sunshades when they’re parked, which use a light-reflecting material to (presumably) keep your dashboard and interior cooler. But are sunshades effective at keeping your car cool in summer? We’ll show you today! 

How hot can a vehicle get in summer weather?  

Any object with glass paneling is susceptible to trapping heat that enters, in what is known as the greenhouse effect. Because of this, even though the outside temperatures might read something like 80-90 degrees, that heat can’t escape your vehicle, so you’ll see the inside temperature rise exponentially. Within two hours, your model will be around 50 degrees hotter than the outside, so if you can’t find a spot in the shade, it’s essential that you have a way to keep your vehicle cool.


 Sunshade on vehicle interior to cool dashboard


Temperature difference from sunshades in hot weather 

Because sunshades are built out of lightweight and reflective materials, as well as being a natural light barrier to your dashboard and vehicle interior, they’re quite good at helping your vehicle resist skyrocketing heat readings. In fact, they can reduce the interior temperature of your model by up to 15 degrees, and the temperature of your dashboard by up to 40 degrees! Of course, it’s still a better idea to find a shady spot to park, but in a pinch, sunshades can work wonders.  


Read More: Summer maintenance checklist for your used vehicle


Install parts and accessories on your vehicle with Carville’s Customs 

If you’re looking for other ways to keep cool or customize your vehicle, head over to our Carville’s Customs shops! We’ve got plenty of awesome accessories for your model, including new tint, headlights, rims, paint jobs and more. Schedule an appointment with us today!