Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Half-Garage Covers Slash Parked Car Cabin Heat by 10 °C, ADAC Tests Find

Proper air conditioning operation can limit cabin-to-outside temperature differences to six degrees for safer driving

Image

Overview

  • ADAC tested seven identical Dacia Dusters under 34 °C ambient heat and found a half-garage cover lowered interior temperatures from 53 °C to 43 °C after four hours of sun exposure.
  • An exterior reflective sunshade cut cabin heat to 45 °C, while internal foil and dashboard cloths achieved 49 °C and 50 °C respectively.
  • White paint reduced cabin temperatures by just 5 °C despite a 21 °C lower surface reading, and tinted windows trimmed heat by 2 °C while protecting seat surfaces.
  • Drivers should start air conditioning at maximum fan and lowest temperature, switch to recirculation after three minutes, and keep the interior-exterior temperature gap under six degrees.
  • Parked cars can exceed 50 °C within 30 minutes, so children and pets must never be left inside during hot weather.