Getting through the *Hot* summer.

[angel]

In TeXas the best parking place is not the one closest to the door but the one in the shade. Unfortunately most places don't have much if any shade. So using shades in the windshield and something over the roller shade helps along with cracking the windows a half inch or so. I have a car cover on order. It also helps to leave the windows down for a few minutes before rolling them up and turning on the a/c.

[EdwardDennis]

I picked up some light-colored shade fabric (white/light-tan blend-- as opposed to dark green) in the garden department of Lowe's.

Cut two 30X28" pieces and spouse sewed them together. Slipped it atop (through the back) of the factory shade roll and gently pulled it forward, then closed the factory shade cover.

The fabric provides enough "stiffness" to avoid fluttering-- and with it doubled, it really blocks out the sunlight. Cost: A tad over $5.00. Simply roll it up and store it for next year, when summer's over.

[Dean Smith]

Last week the high temp in the Palm Springs area was 124 degrees. I took a picture of my dash with the outside temp registering 115, and the scangauge said my water temp was 210. YOU BET THE A/C WAS ON.

I did notice that the A/C temp coming out the vents was about 55 degrees with the outside temp at 115, however as soon at the outside temp dropped to 105 the A/C started blowing at 45 degrees...when the temp dropped to 100 the air coming out the vents went to 40 to 42 degrees.

I also notice the hotter it gets the more my gas milage suffers. Down to about 38 highway MPG versus a previous 42 MPG highway. Am I going to reduce my A/C uasge? Not until the killer monkeys attack.

[jefferios]

After doing through some 90*F weather here in Minnesota, I have some more positive results.

By having the reflective material installed I have seen over a 20 degree difference vs not having anything installed. Also a few times the inside temperature of the car was only around 10 degrees warmer than the outside. If you've been thinking about getting one of these, jump on board its great!

[Dave Van]

OR...get a Pure with solid roof!!

[unicycle]

Originally Posted by jonnysan

Surely you can see the method to the madness here. Not such a big deal in MA or Upstate NY but in states that have much higher temps....it can be a big deal.

Right. But even Downstate NY gets bloody hot in summertime. We just moved to the Noop two years ago from Manhattan (via Brooklyn), and I can attest to the horrible summers I spent there when I didn't have the fortune to be off at summer camp!

I'm def'ly going to get a shade for my smartie. I was even considering putting an ice pack in the sliding shade thing in order to cool the car a bit (I know -- silly idea) and this will help me save a bit of gas, for which I'm ever so grateful.

[SubSlr88]

Jefferios, many thanks for the research. I'll definitely get a reflective cover for my smartie coupe whenever I get it. Here in FL every degree you can drop the inside temp means that much better mileage and a cooler vehicle quicker - and LESS load on the AC.

[Orphan-Beggar]

smart would be wise to design and offer a supplemental sun shade-or redesign the original

[Woody14619]

Hot inside the car? Why don't you just pop open the top with the key remote before you get in? Oh.. wait... they're not all convertibles like mine, are they. Did I mention I really like the roof button on the key fob?

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by Orphan-Beggar

smart would be wise to design and offer a supplemental sun shade-or redesign the original

How about a "hardtop" Passion?