HOW TO USE A SUNSHADE FOR A CAR? -

When the summer season arrives one of the necessary things to know is how to use a sunshade for a car.

As you’ll see, it’s a very useful accessory that is almost necessary if you live in a warmer climate with more sunlight over the year.

Besides showing you how to use a sunshade for a car, we’ll answer some common questions related to this topic.

At the end of the article, you have a video tutorial which you can also watch on our YouTube channel.

HOW DOES A SUNSHADE WORK?

A car sunshade blocks the sunlight from getting into the passenger cabin through the windshield and windows.

In most cases, it’s made from a reflective material that the sunlight can’t penetrate.

Another common type is a sunshade made from non-reflective material that absorbs UV rays.

Both of these are very effective against sunlight and significantly reduce the cabin temperature while the car is parked.

In the case of the sunshade for the windshield, it also helps preserve the dashboard surface and keeps the steering wheel from getting hot.

WHICH WAY DOES A CAR SUNSHADE GO?

Most car sunshades are the same on both sides as this is more convenient for using and mounting.

If the sunshade has one reflective side, be sure to turn that side towards the sun.

With the other type, it basically doesn’t matter how you turn it as they’re the same on both sides.

HOW TO USE A SUNSHADE FOR A CAR?

The first step to learn how to use a sunshade for a car is to unfold it. Most sunshades are foldable for more convenient storage. If you have a sunshade like this one, first take off the rubber straps and unfold them.

Next, spread it on the inner side of the windshield. You can unfold it completely at once or fold it from one side to the other.

Once you unfold the sunshade, you’ll see a purposely-made dent in the middle of it. This is for better fitting around the rearview mirror. Besides this, it helps to center it.

When properly positioned, fold down the sun visors and use them as holders for the car sunshade. This is, at least from my own experience, very effective.

Some sunshades may have suction cups but these tend to fall off due to strong sunlight. Also, you can sometimes use the strings to hang the sunshade onto the visor.

The end result is a completely covered windshield. If everything is OK, only a very small amount of sunlight will get into the passenger cabin.

The other type is mounted with suction cups. As mentioned these tend to fall off because of heat. The best you can do is to previously clean the glass surface so it can maybe hold better and longer.

HOW DO YOU FOLD A SUNSHADE?

When you don’t need the sunshade anymore, best fold it and put it back in storage.

To fold it just do the whole procedure in reverse.

Fold the sun visors back into place, if the sunshade is attached in any other way, take it off.

After that fold it and put the straps back on. With the other type of sunshades, fold them back inwards.

Avoid leaving them around the car unfolded as they can easily get damaged or torn. If you forgot to do so, you can fold it when cleaning the car interior.

One more thing I must mention when talking about how to use a car sunshade. Avoid putting the shade on the outer side of the windshield. It can easily get damaged wet or blown away by the wind.

CONCLUSION

If you don’t have a car sunshade, buy one as soon as possible especially if you live in a place with more sun.

They’re cheap but very effective against strong sunlight and UV rays. Also, they give you the advantage of entering a much cooler passenger cabin during the summer.

When you’re driving passengers in the rear during the summer season, especially kids, mount the sunshades, it will provide the much-needed protection. Climate control can only cool down the cabin but can’t protect you from the sunlight and UV rays.

In the end, if you have to leave your car in an open parking lot, in the sun for a long time a combination of the mentioned types of sunshades is probably the best solution for keeping the passenger cabin cooler.