Summers in Arizona are no joke. When the outside temperature hits 110°F or more, your parked car can easily become an oven—interior temperatures often climb past 150°F. While you can’t control the sun, there are a few mistakes that can make your car even hotter than it needs to be. And when your car gets that hot, it’s not just uncomfortable—it can damage interior materials, wear out systems faster, and even affect performance.
If you’re in Arizona and your car always feels like a sauna, you might be doing one or more of these things without even realizing it.
1. Parking in the Wrong Spot
It sounds simple, but one of the biggest heat-related mistakes is leaving your car in direct sunlight when there are better options nearby. Parking in full sun for hours cooks your dashboard, seats, and steering wheel. Over time, UV rays can cause cracking, fading, and warping—especially on leather and plastic surfaces.
Even a little shade from a tree or building can make a major difference. Better yet, look for covered parking or a garage whenever possible. It protects more than just your comfort—it helps preserve the interior.
2. Skipping a Sunshade
Sunshades aren’t just for looks—they drastically reduce how much heat builds up inside the cabin. When you skip the sunshade, your dash takes the brunt of the sun’s heat and UV rays, acting like a frying pan and radiating warmth into the rest of the interior.
Good-quality sunshades can drop the cabin temperature by 10–15 degrees and protect critical electronics in your dash from heat-related wear. The same goes for rear window shades or tinted windows that help block UV rays and reduce heat buildup.
3. Leaving Windows Completely Closed
When parked in the heat, cracking your windows just slightly allows hot air to escape and keeps the temperature from skyrocketing as quickly. Completely sealed windows turn your car into a sealed box, where heat accumulates faster and has nowhere to go.
A window left open even half an inch won’t invite thieves or cause security issues, but it will help circulate air and reduce the chances of the cabin reaching extreme temperatures.
4. Wrong Interior Materials
Interior accessories can make a surprising difference. Black leather or vinyl seat covers, for example, absorb heat far more than lighter or cloth materials. If you’ve ever sat on a dark leather seat in shorts after a few hours of sun exposure, you know how unpleasant that can be.
Using fabric seat covers or installing reflective dashboard mats can help manage heat levels. Some Arizona drivers even use steering wheel covers designed specifically to reflect heat and make the car safer and more comfortable to drive right away.
5. Neglecting Your A/C System
If your air conditioning system hasn’t been inspected in a while, it may be underperforming—especially during Arizona’s hottest months. A/C systems in the desert work much harder than in other climates, and low refrigerant levels or clogged cabin air filters can make a huge difference in how fast your car cools down.
If you notice that it’s taking longer than usual for your A/C to kick in or cool the cabin, don’t wait. A quick inspection or recharge can save you from sweltering in traffic, and it may prevent bigger issues from developing in the compressor or other components.
Wickenburg Tire Center – Beat the Arizona Heat in Wickenburg, AZ
Want to keep your car cooler and avoid heat damage this summer?
Wickenburg Tire Center in Wickenburg, AZ, offers A/C inspections, cabin filter replacements, window tint services, and the expert advice you need to protect your vehicle from Arizona’s harsh sun.
