Summer in Overland Park and the Kansas City area can be tough on your vehicle. When your car sits outside in direct sunlight, temperatures inside the cabin can climb dramatically, putting extra stress on your dashboard, seats, steering wheel and other interior surfaces.
According to AAA, a vehicle’s interior can reach 120 degrees or more on a hot day, while surfaces exposed directly to sunlight can become significantly hotter. Prolonged heat and UV exposure can contribute to fading, drying, cracking and other interior wear.
The good news? A few simple habits and affordable products can help protect your vehicle’s interior throughout the summer.
Whether you drive a Chevrolet Silverado, Equinox, Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban or another vehicle, here are some practical ways to help protect your interior from the Kansas City heat.
1. Use a Windshield Sun Shade
One of the easiest ways to protect your vehicle’s interior is to use a windshield sun shade whenever you park in direct sunlight.
A sun shade helps block direct sunlight from reaching the dashboard and steering wheel while also helping reduce heat buildup inside the cabin. AAA recommends using windshield sun protectors and window shades as part of a summer vehicle-care routine.
A sun shade is especially useful if you regularly park outside at work, school, shopping centers or at home.
Products Worth Considering
For the best fit, look for a sun shade designed for your vehicle’s windshield size.
2. Park in the Shade Whenever Possible
Sometimes the simplest solution is the most effective.
If you have the option, park in a garage, under a covered parking area or in a shaded spot. Keeping your vehicle out of direct sunlight can help reduce the amount of heat and UV exposure reaching the interior.
AAA recommends parking in the shade or a garage whenever possible as one of the easiest ways to reduce heat exposure.
Even when you’re running errands, choosing a parking spot with some shade can help.
3. Protect Your Dashboard From UV Rays
Your dashboard takes a lot of direct sunlight during the summer. Over time, UV exposure and heat can contribute to fading, drying and cracking of plastic and vinyl surfaces.
Keeping the dashboard clean and using an appropriate UV protectant can add another layer of protection.
AAA recommends using UV protectant on dashboards after cleaning and conditioning the surface.
Interior UV Protectants to Consider
Always check the product label and your vehicle’s owner’s manual before applying any cleaning or protectant product to interior materials.
4. Keep Your Interior Clean
Dust, dirt, food particles and other debris can build up on your interior surfaces. Regular cleaning helps keep the cabin looking better and makes it easier to spot spills or other problems before they become harder to remove.
AAA recommends regular interior cleaning and notes that dedicated automotive cleaners can offer UV-inhibiting ingredients designed to help protect interior materials.
A microfiber towel and an interior-specific cleaner can make a simple summer cleaning routine easy.
Interior Cleaning Products
When cleaning screens and other electronics, use a product specifically labeled as safe for those surfaces and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
5. Don’t Forget About Your Seats
Your seats are exposed to sunlight every time your vehicle is parked outside.
Leather and other materials can become dry, fade or crack after prolonged exposure to heat and UV rays. AAA recommends keeping leather seats clean and using an appropriate conditioner to help prevent drying and cracking.
If your vehicle has leather or leather-trimmed seating, use a conditioner specifically designed for that material.
For cloth seats, regular vacuuming and cleaning can help prevent dirt and spills from becoming embedded in the fabric.
6. Consider Window Tint
Window tint can do more than change the appearance of your vehicle. Quality window film can help reduce UV exposure, glare and the amount of solar heat entering the cabin.
AAA notes that high-quality window tint can block significant amounts of UV radiation and help protect interior surfaces from fading and damage.
If you’re considering tint, make sure the film and installation comply with Kansas or Missouri laws, depending on where your vehicle is registered and driven. Tint requirements can vary by window and location.
7. Consider a Dashboard Cover
If your vehicle spends a lot of time outside, a fitted dashboard cover can provide another physical barrier between the dashboard and direct sunlight.
A properly fitted cover can also help reduce the amount of heat absorbed by the dashboard.
Dashboard Cover Option
Look for a cover specifically made for your vehicle’s year, make and model so it doesn’t interfere with vents, sensors or other dashboard components.
8. Use Seat Covers if Your Vehicle Sits in the Sun
Seat covers aren’t just about protecting against spills and stains. They can also reduce direct UV exposure to your seats.
AAA recommends seat covers as one way to help protect both leather and fabric seats from sun exposure.
If you use seat covers, make sure they’re compatible with your vehicle’s seats and don’t interfere with airbags or other safety equipment.
9. Let the Heat Out Before You Start Cooling the Cabin
When you get into a vehicle that has been sitting in the Kansas City heat, don’t expect the air conditioner to instantly cool the entire cabin.
Opening the doors or windows briefly can allow some of the trapped hot air to escape. Once you’re moving, using the vehicle’s air conditioning and recirculation settings can help cool the cabin more efficiently.
AAA recommends allowing hot air to escape before switching the A/C to recirculation as the cabin cools.
10. Don’t Leave Heat-Sensitive Items Inside
Your vehicle’s interior isn’t just hard on the vehicle itself — it’s hard on the things you leave inside.
During particularly hot weather, consider taking items such as electronics, medications, food and other heat-sensitive belongings with you instead of leaving them inside a parked vehicle.
And, most importantly, never leave children or pets unattended in a parked vehicle, even for a short period. Vehicle interiors can become dangerously hot very quickly.
A Simple Summer Interior Protection Routine
Protecting your vehicle from the Kansas City heat doesn’t have to take a lot of time.
Try making these habits part of your summer routine:
- Park in the shade or garage when possible.
- Use a windshield sun shade.
- Clean the dashboard and interior regularly.
- Apply an appropriate UV protectant to compatible surfaces.
- Condition leather according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Consider window tint that complies with local laws.
- Use seat or dashboard covers when appropriate.
- Remove heat-sensitive belongings from the vehicle.
- Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual before using new interior-care products.
Small steps can make a difference when your vehicle spends day after day in the summer sun.
Keep Your Chevrolet Ready for Kansas City Summer
Your vehicle’s interior isn’t the only part that needs attention during hot weather. High temperatures can also affect your vehicle’s battery, tires, fluids and cooling system.
AAA recommends checking tire condition and pressure, monitoring fluid levels and having the battery and cooling system inspected as part of summer vehicle care.
If your Chevrolet needs maintenance or you’re considering a newer vehicle with features designed to make Kansas City driving more comfortable, McCarthy Chevrolet of Overland Park is here to help.
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From protecting your dashboard from the summer sun to keeping your seats looking their best, a little preventative care can help you enjoy your vehicle’s interior for years to come.
When you’re ready for your next Chevrolet in Overland Park or the Kansas City area, visit McCarthy Chevrolet of Overland Park and find a vehicle that fits your everyday needs.
