There is a lot of debate about whether or not dash covers reduce heat inside the car when parked. Some people swear by them, while others say that they don’t make much of a difference.
In this article, we will explore both sides of the argument and try to come to a conclusion based on the evidence. We will also discuss some tips on how to keep your car cool during the summer months. Stay tuned!
So do dash covers reduce heat inside the car? The answer, unfortunately, is not a simple yes or no. It depends on a few factors, such as the material of the dash cover and the color.
Factors to consider
1. Type of material
Dash covers that are made from lighter-colored materials will reflect more heat than those that are darker in color. This is because dark colors absorb more heat than light colors. If you are thinking of getting a dash cover, make sure to choose one that is light in color. You can also go for materials that are specifically designed to reflect heat, such as aluminum.
Also, consider the type of material the dash cover is made from. Dash covers that are made from breathable materials will help to keep your car cooler than those that are not. This is because breathable materials allow air to circulate, which helps to keep the car cooler. If you live in a hot climate, it is best to choose a dash cover that is made from a breathable material.
2. Type of car
The type of car you have will also affect how well a dash cover works. Cars with more windows will allow more heat to enter the cabin, even when parked in the shade. When this happens, the dash cover will not be able to reflect all the heat, and you will still feel some heat inside the car.
On the other hand, cars with tinted windows will trap less heat inside the cabin. This means that a dash cover will be more effective in reducing heat inside your car. If you have a car with tinted windows, you can further reduce the amount of heat inside the car by adding a sunshade to the windshield.
3. Size of a dash cover
The size of your dash cover is another factor that will affect how well the dash cover reduces heat inside your car. A larger dash cover will cover more of the dashboard, and this will result in less heat being absorbed by the dashboard.
However, you should also make sure that the dash cover you choose is not too big. If it is too big, it might not stay in place when you are driving, and also make sure that the dash cover doesn’t impede your ability to see out the windshield because this can be dangerous.
4. Installation
If the dash cover is not installed correctly, it will not work properly. Make sure that the dash cover is tight and doesn’t have any gaps. To install the dash cover, follow the instructions that come with it.
Be sure to take into account the type of car you have, the size of the dash cover, and the installation when choosing a dash cover.
If you want to further reduce the amount of heat inside your car, add a sunshade to the windshield and windows.
Supporting evidence
Now that we’ve gone over some of the factors to consider, let’s take a look at the evidence.
- A study conducted in Australia found that dash covers can reduce the interior temperature of a car by up to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In another study, it was found that dash covers made from Reflect-a-Cool material were effective in reducing heat build-up on the dashboard by as much as 80%.
- These studies show that dash covers can be effective in reducing heat build-up in cars, but it is important to consider the factors we discussed earlier.
- If you live in a hot climate and your car doesn’t have tinted windows, a dash cover is a good investment. It will help to keep your car cool and protect your dashboard from the sun.
There are many different types and styles of dash covers available, so make sure to do your research to find one that is right for you.
Other ways to keep your car cool
In addition to using a dash cover, there are some other things you can do to keep your car cool during the summer months.
Here are some tips:
1. Leave car windows cracked
When I was young, I noticed for a while that my father would leave his car windows slightly open whenever he parked at a place where there was no shade.
I asked my father one time why he did that and he explained to me it helps to reduce the heat in the car when it is parked under direct sunlight. I was indeed intrigued but something as simple as this helped reduce the heat in the car. And noticed it helps, especially on a hot day.
2. Cover the steering wheel
If the sunlight is heating the dashboard, it will certainly heat up the steering wheel too. One way you can protect the steering wheel from heating up too is by covering it with a towel, preferably damp.
This will ensure that once you are back to drive your car off, you can bear to touch your steering wheel because it will not have contracted heat.
3. Cover the seats
Another way to reduce heat in your car when it is parked is by using seat covers which you can easily purchase on the market. If you do not want to get already-made seat covers, you can also use blankets to cover your seats when you park.
Most car seats are made from leather and vinyl and are good absorbers of heat. So, covering them with covers made from fabric, for instance, will help reduce the heat on the seats and by extension, the car.
In addition to this, there are these cool seat covers you can buy and place on seats to essentially cool them when you are parked under the sun.
4. Tint the windows
Another tip to reduce heat in your car is by tinting your windows. Tinting the windows ensure that most of the sun rays are bounced off from the car and are not allowed to enter and heat the interior of the car.
5. Get solar-powered fans
If the heat in your car is making you uncomfortable, collect it! Lol. As a solution to reducing heat in your car when parked, you can invest in solar-powered fans for your car. Depending on the size of your car though, you may need more than one fan.
These fans trap the heat from the sunlight and convert it into energy which can be used to cool down your car when you turn them on.
6. Park against the sunlight
If you park your car and realize the sun rays are hitting the front part directly, you can park the car in the other direction. To explain further, if you initially parked the car with the front facing the direct sunlight, try parking with the back side facing the sun rather.
When you do this, though the rear will be heated up more, the sun will be more merciful on the front interior and will not make it heat up as much. This method of reducing heat in your car may not be all that but at least it helps a bit.
7. Use sunshades on the windshields
Another way to reduce the heat in your car is by using a sunshade to cover your windshield. These sunshades block out most of the ultraviolet rays from entering the car and heating it.
8. A combination of any of the solutions
In all honesty, most of these solutions may not be able to give you desired results if used in solitude. I will therefore advise that apart from getting a dash cover, you employ one of these other solutions, in addition, to help reduce the heat on your car when it is left parked where there is no shade.
Final Thoughts
So can dash covers reduce heat in the car when parked? Yes, they can but not as much as you would want them to.
This is because dash covers only protect the dashboard and not other parts of the car that are just as important in helping reduce heat in your car when parked.
I would advise that you use a combination of any of these solutions for the best results. And if you have any other solution that has worked for you, please do share in the comment section below.
Thanks for reading! 🙂
