How To Keep Your Car Cool in Summer

You probably dread getting into your car on a hot and humid summer day. Sometimes the steering wheel is too hot to touch and forget about sitting on leather seats in shorts!

While it can be hard for drivers to handle extreme temperature spikes, it can be even tougher on cars. Summer heat coming through the windows, asphalt and the car itself can cause serious strain on the engine and can also weaken the battery.

Use these tips to keep you and your car from overheating this summer.

Quickly Cooling the Car

Efficiently cooling the car’s interior can reduce some strain on the vehicle and keep the driver more comfortable.

When you first get in, open the doors and windows to let the hot air out, and then, put the air conditioner on ventilation mode to help expel more hot air. Once the car starts to feel cooler, turn the air conditioner to recirculation and put it on its highest setting.

Starting the car and letting the air conditioning run while it’s parked is not the quickest or most economical choice, although it would do the trick in a pinch. Many newer models also come with an option to prestart and cool the interior from a key or mobile app.

More Ways to Keep Your Car Cool

• Embrace the shade. “Park in the shade or in a garage if you have one, and staying out of direct sunlight may help,” said AAA’s Car Doctor John Paul.
• Let in some air. Leave your windows open a crack, but only enough to let in a small breeze — and keep out rain and thieves.
• Invest in a windshield sunshade, especially if you can’t avoid the direct sun.

AAA members get discounts at NAPA Auto Parts, online and in select stores.

Why Do Car Engines Overheat?

When a car engine overheats, there is usually something wrong with the car’s cooling system. The car could be low on coolant, which reduces the temperature of the engine as it circulates. Another common cause is a malfunctioning thermostat. It could fail to open preventing coolant from reaching the engine. Another expensive cause could be a failed radiator, which cools off the coolant and blows hot air out of the car.

Make sure the cooling system is ready by having it flushed on a regular basis by a trusted auto repair facility. Coolant, also known as antifreeze, has anti-corrosion chemicals to prevent rust buildup inside the engine. Getting rid of old coolant, flushing the engine with fresh water and filling it with the proper mixture of the coolant formula and water, along with checking hoses and belts, will help a vehicle stand the test of hot summer driving.

What To Do If Your Car Overheats

If your car is starting to overheat, it may seem a bit sluggish. If the temperature gauge shoots up or if you see steam rising from the hood, pull off the road as soon as you safely can.

If you are unable to pull off immediately, turn off the air conditioner and turn on the heat. Yes, heat. This will help the engine cool a bit before you can stop.

Once stopped, turn off the engine and call for roadside assistance. Do not touch the hood.

You can request AAA Roadside Assistance 24/7.

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Preventing Your Car Battery From Overheating

Consumer Reports has found that heat can weaken your car battery more than freezing temperatures.

Heat does not cause sudden battery failure but weakens a car battery over time. The optimum operating temperature for car batteries is 80 degrees, according to NAPA Auto Parts. But as soon as the car is moving, the temperature under the hood starts to rise.

If the temperature is hot enough, chemicals within the battery that conduct electrical charges begin to evaporate. That vapor can lead to battery corrosion over time, and ultimately, failure. In 2024, AAA reported responding to 1.83 million battery service calls in the summer.

“Here in the Northeast, batteries last about five years,” said Paul. “But in hot weather states, like Florida, Arizona and Texas, batteries only last about three years due to the heat.” 

Ensuring the battery is fully charged and the connections are clean helps to maintain it. Periodically checking the charging and starting systems are a good idea as well.

If your battery does give out, call a AAA battery service professional who will come to you and test, clean or replace your battery. They also will properly recycle your old battery.

Learn more about when to replace your car battery.

What are your tips for cooling your car down as quickly as possible on a hot summer day? Share them in the comments below.

Ellen R. Delisio

Ellen is a content producer for AAA Northeast, covering automotive, finance, public affairs and electric vehicle news. She is a former newspaper reporter with experience writing for print and online publications about everything from higher education to sustainability. She recently returned to her native Long Island after living in Connecticut for 20-plus years, and has never met a beach she didn’t like..