This might be one of the most common summer debates with friends, coworkers, and neighbors: does cracking the window of your car while it’s parked actually help keep the car cool? It seems like a simple premise, but most of us don’t cart around thermometers and such to do a scientific experiment and find a definitive answer. Instead, most of us rely on personal experience and other summer car tips to keep cool.
Luckily, the geeks at Science Blog have put together a (mostly) scientific test to see what really matters.
An Open and Shut Case
Using two cars that were similar in size, shape, and color, a pair of vehicle owners set out to determine once and for all whether leaving the windows open belongs in a list of summer car tips, or if it’s just an urban legend. Both cars were parked in the sun, facing the same direction (North), with temperature-gathering equipment inside.
We’ll fast-forward past all the charts and diagrams and cut right to the chase: the car with the windows down did indeed enjoy a slightly lower temperature than it’s tightly-sealed counterpart. That ends the debate!
Not so fast.
Variables Matter
If you have no choice but to park your car in the hottest, sunniest spot in the lot for an extended period of time, leaving the windows down an inch or two will help keep the interior a bit cooler. On the other hand, if theft is a problem or you’re parking in an unknown area, you might be willing to trade a bit of discomfort in exchange for knowing your ride home will be there when you’re ready.
There’s also a significant difference when comparing short-term parking, especially when the air-conditioning inside the car has been used. Consider a scenario where you’re making several short stops in an afternoon of errand-running. Plenty of time for the AC to cool off the inside between stops, but you’re in and out of your destinations in ten minutes or less. In those cases, you’re better off closing the car tightly before you leave as you’ll be sealing in that cold air. Any longer than that, though, and the temperature starts to climb. By the time 15 minutes has passed, the windows-down rule will apply.
Summer Car Tips
If you’re going to be out and about during peak summer hours and comfort is important, you’ll find the best results by parking in the shade. Of course, most large parking lots are shade-free, so a windshield screen can also be helpful. If you must park in the sun, try to face the vehicle pointing South as this will reduce the amount of sunlight baking through the windshield.
Lastly, if the air conditioning in your car isn’t in top shape, no amount of preparation will keep your car cool enough. If you’re ready to upgrade to a vehicle with icy AC, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Valley Automall. Stop in for a cool test drive today!