Getting through the *Hot* summer.

[jefferios]

After getting the idea from Minny Smart I've been on an endeavor to find a solution to decrease the cab's temperature while my smart is parked. I think I found a sunshade this evening at target that will work in the area of the passions clear roof. Its the "Auto-Shade" brand, they go for $8. The come in silver and light. blue. Make sure you get the JUMBO size as it will be wide enough for the top, and plenty long. I will give it a test tomorrow with my portable temperature gauge and see how well it worked.

[Dan500]

Keep us posted!

[curtis]

what are you going to do, put it between the screen and the roof window?

[jefferios]

Yes I put it between the sun shade and the window. Yesterday when I got in the car It was 117*F That was at 7pm. Outside temp was 81*F. Today the high temperature seems to be the same, so today is with no reflective shade. I am parked in the same spot so today is the "control" I will post an update this evening/tomorrow morning.

[jefferios]

Well I took my 2nd temp reading just a few minutes ago, The outside temp is 81*F Inside the car it was: 127*F so 10*F warmer. I will post back in a littlebit to she the temperature without a sunshade at all.

[Smart Enuf]

I use a whole car cover. It was 99 degrees outside and about 84-85 inside. Makes a huge difference, since it's much more comfortable getting in the car, the AC doesn't have to work as hard, and I think it'll be easier on the interior materials in the long run.

[jefferios]

After having the windows cracked by 1 inch. And a closed sunshade I got the interior temperature about 107*F with an outside temp around 80*F.

So if you need to have your windows shut where you park, I recommend getting a reflector for the windshield and the roof. Otherwise getting an entire car cover.

[SuperGeek]

Originally Posted by jefferios

After having the windows cracked by 1 inch. And a closed sunshade I got the interior temperature about 107*F with an outside temp around 80*F.

So if you need to have your windows shut where you park, I recommend getting a reflector for the windshield and the roof. Otherwise getting an entire car cover.

My analysis wasn't as thorough as yours (lost my thermometer) but I put shades on the windshield and up top like you did. Crack the windows an inch when not raining and it's much better. 'Course, for some reason the rain couldn't find the inside of my car even when I forgot and the windows down...

[jonnysan]

Myself, Fredvon2, and A2 have been testing an idea I had by installing reflective foil in between the shade and roof. I have been rolling it up into the shade roller but have decided NOT to continue doing that as my shade just yesterday has failed on the passenger side just like others have reported..
So anyway, we two and A2 (should be getting his very soon ) should all concur that this stuff is really like a mirror (2 mil plastic mylar-type material) and reflects all of the sun's rays away from the black shade, keeping the radiation of heat into the cabin WAYYYY down.

I will be attaching the foil to some kind of a thin backer that can be easily slid into position (and rolled up when not in use) from the front when it gets hot enough to use it rather than rolling it up with the shade and creating more problems with the shade that already has its problems.
MB should consider putting some reflective material on the top of their shades, much like the sunshades some are using with success with the aluminized side facing OUT.

We don't have hot weather that bad here in Albany...probably a week out of a whole year but I like to find solutions to problems like this for anyone who can benefit like those in hot climate states like TX, CA or AZ.

I'll keep you posted but can already tell you that it DOES WORK VERY WELL!
I just have to refine the way to handle it and make it easy to install/remove. Once I've found the ideal way to handle it, this should be a great way to keep the heat conduction down inside the cabin.

John