As you know, the summertime sizzle in Folsom and the Sacramento area is real. That is why we want to share our advice on how to keep your cool in sizzling summer weather.
At Foreign Autohaus, we service the Air Conditioning systems on a lot of European automobiles. Each automotive brand has its own set of A/C system nuances that our automotive technicians must be intimately familiar with. Therefore, our auto repair team trains and studies everything from potential refrigerant leak causes to why certain components within the air conditioning system are not operating like they should (fans, compressors, dash controls, etc.).
Our recommendation for you is to make certain your car’s A/C system is in tip-top shape for Summer. If you have set the temperature to cool and the air is blowing hot, we invite you to schedule an appointment with the Foreign Autohaus team to visually inspect your climate control system. If we find the refrigerant needs a recharge or if anything is out of order, we will notify you so you can make an informed decision.
In the meantime, here are a few other ideas about how to keep your cool in sizzling summer weather when you are driving around Northern California.
Park in the shade whenever possible. You can lower the temperature a bit when you park under shade or find a covered parking garage. Not only will your vehicle stay cooler, you will also help your car’s paint job from getting “sunburned” and oxidized.
Place towels over your car seats. If you don’t have cloth seats already, you should make it a habit to put towels on your seats. The cloth will reduce that “burning” sensation you get when the seats get sizzling hot. Your delicate skin will thank you for carrying around an extra towel or two in the car.
Use a sun shade for your windows. If you can place sun shades by the dashboard, that will help reduce the interior temperature in your vehicle on a hot day. Bonus points if you add a sun shade to the back and side windows, too.
Tint your windows. If you like window tinting, it is a terrific investment. Window tinting keeps the car much cooler during the sizzling summer months. However, you’ll want to be sure to have the tint applied by a professional for two reasons: 1) there won’t be bubbles in the tint plastic when a pro installs it, and 2) the professional will steer you away from tint shades that are too dark and illegal to use. There is a bonus reason to have tinted windows, and that’s privacy. There are many advantages to tinting your car windows.
Paint your vehicle a lighter color. Black cars may look cool, but they are anything but cool on a hot summer’s day. If you live and work in an area that gets hot, purchase a vehicle that is painted in a lighter shade. White, silver, and tan vehicles stay cooler than black, red, and dark blue vehicles. If you love the car you have but want it in a lighter color, you can always take it to an auto body shop for a new paint job.
Never, ever leave a living being in a hot car. Over recent years, we have seen a lot of stories where dogs and babies die when left alone in a hot car. We love our animals, our kids, and all living creatures. We even love flowers, and that’s why we won’t even leave flowers in a hot car. (Have you seen how wilted flowers get when left in a hot car?) So, please. Don’t ever leave a living being in a hot car, or you may regret it.
If you would like to schedule A/C service for your vehicle or want a safety inspection before your Summer road trip, we invite you to Foreign Autohaus in Folsom. Schedule an appointment or give us a call if you have any questions. Foreign Autohaus is conveniently located at 301 Blue Ravine Rd., Folsom, CA 95630. We look forward to serving you and your vehicle soon.