How to Keep Your Chevy Cool in Hot Weather

If you live in the area, you know just how hot it can get during summertime in Oklahoma. At the time of writing this it’s already 84° and we’re still in May. As we pass into June and ultimately July, we’re sure to have some really hot weather, so you might wonder how you can keep your Chevy cool on days like that. It’s important to keep your vehicle as cool as you can whenever you can, not just for your own comfort, but for the longevity and health of your vehicle as well. So we’ve put together some tips and tricks for you to follow as the seasons shift this year.

The first step in keeping your Chevy as cool as can be throughout the summer months is to master your air conditioner. The last thing you want to experience on a hot Tulsa day is getting into your steaming Chevy SUV and realizing the A/C unit is blowing lukewarm air throughout the cabin. Here are a few ways to ensure you understand your A/C and how it works:

• Change the Cabin Air Filter
  • While it can sometimes feel like this is just an add-on that your mechanic is trying to needlessly upsell you on, it is actually an important piece to replace on a regular schedule. It is suggested to change your cabin air filter every 15,000 to 22,500 miles, but this can become shorter depending on the environment you drive through. Having a clogged, dirty filter will restrict airflow and make your A/C work twice as hard, which can have additional repercussions.
• Use Recirculate Mode
  • When you first get into your vehicle and it’s overwhelmingly hot, your instinct might be to try to bump max A/C immediately and wait for it to kick in. But your first step should actually be to roll down your windows and let the hot air escape. Even if it’s hot outside, it should be cooler than your cabin. Once you roll them back up you can turn on the A/C, but make sure to switch on the “recirculate” button. This will cool the air inside your cabin rather than pulling in the hot air from outside.
• Warning Signs
  • Lastly, just pay attention! If you notice that your vehicle is taking too long to get cool, of if you hear a squealing sound when the A/C system kicks on, your refrigerant could be low or an important part of the system – like a belt – might need to be replaced.

This step is crucial not just to help keep your cabin cool, but to prevent the sun from fading or damaging your interior finishes, such as the dashboard, steering wheel, and seats. Here are some important steps to help you protect the interior when it gets hot:

• Use a Sunshade
  • You might think cars look silly when you see those reflective sunshades tucked into the windshield, but this is a huge way to keep your cabin cool and protect your upholstery. Using a high-quality reflective sunshade blocks direct sunlight, potentially lowering your interior temperature by up to 60°.
• Park Strategically
  • You should always try to find a parking spot in the shade. A parking garage is your best bet, but spots under large trees or next to large buildings can be just as helpful.
• Condition Leather
  • If you have leather upholstery, fading is the least of your worries. The intense heat can completely dry out your leather and cause cracking. It’s important to apply a high-quality leather conditioner before it starts getting too hot, as this can keep your upholstery supple.

If you’d like to bring your Chevy vehicle in for a check up before it gets too hot this summer, don’t hesitate to schedule a service appointment right here at Jim Glover Chevrolet. You can reach out to us with any questions, and we’ll be happy to make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape this summer.