Getting into your car during a heatwave can feel like trying to sit in an oven, especially if your vehicle has been warming up in the sun for hours.
With the sun rising early, the temperature inside your car can be stifling even early in the morning before work. But there are steps you can take to keep your car as cool as possible.
England is in the middle of two days of extreme heat warning s. The heatwave is due to peak on Tuesday, with temperatures of more than 35C forecast for Newcastle, and higher than that for parts of Northumberland and County Durham.
Read more: Refill water bottles at more than 100 places in Newcastle City Centre
So, you may be wise to take these tips from the RAC and AA on how to keep your car cool
How to keep parked cars cool in extreme heat
The first tips from the RAC and AA are obvious, try and park your car in a shady spot. If you have a garage, park your car in it. "It will keep your car cool, clean and secure," says the RAC.
But if you have to park in the sun "pop a windscreen sun shade on your dashboard to reflect the sun's heat and pull down any window sun shades," the AA says.
The RAC says: "A windscreen sunshade keeps the sun’s rays away from your car interior – especially the touch-points, such as the steering wheel and gear lever. They are available from most car accessory shops; simply tuck the shade behind the sun visors when you park the car."
You should also consider covering your steering wheel. "Cover your steering wheel with a spare tea towel or cloth to avoid your skin melting to the wheel when you get back, or spritz water onto it and let it evaporate to help cool it down," says the AA.
Cover your seats if you can. Even if it's just with a towel. "Most modern car cabins are blacker than a coal mine, and that’s bad news for keeping cool. Leather seats, in particular, can get uncomfortably hot and sticky – and may degrade and crack if regularly exposed to heat. Fitting light-coloured seat covers is one solution, or you could opt for lighter upholstery in the first place. As a temporary measure, a towel spread over the seat will help keep you cool," says the RAC.
Also cover up any exposed metal. Things like seat belt buckles can get very hot when you return to your car.
"Cover exposed metal on the seats, such as seat belt buckles and child car seat harness fittings." And when you return to your car, open the windows first. Then use the air conditioning after shutting them.
The AA says: "Lose the worst of the heat by moving off with all the windows open. Close the windows and turn the aircon on once you get going."
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