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Extreme
Heat Testing Reveals That Using an Auto
Sunshade Can Reduce the Heat Build-Up in Cars
You
wouldn't stick your hand into a hot oven without the protection
of an oven mitt, right? Well, the same notion holds true for getting
inside your car on a hot day. Believe it or not, when the temperature
rises outside, the combination of extreme heat, direct sunlight
and closed windows can turn your parked car into a virtual oven
with dashboard temperatures reaching up to about 192 degrees Farenheit. Not
only can this heat build-up be uncomfortable for you and your
passengers — it can be damaging to your car's interior as well.
On
a typical sunny day, the sun's light combined with the external
ambient temperature is transmitted through your car windshield
and windows and is converted into heat that remains inside the
vehicle. A recent "AUTO SUN PROTECTION TEST" conducted
by Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc. for Auto Expressions TM, a
leading brand of automotive accessories including sun protection
products, found that on an 89 degrees Farenheit day (1),
air trapped inside your vehicle can heat up within minutes.
Results
showed that a parked car without the use of a sunshade experienced
extreme heat with the dashboard heating up to 192 degrees Farenheit, high
enough to cook a chicken and the steering wheel topping out at
191 degrees Farenheit, high enough to grill a hamburger. In fact, a car parked
in direct sunlight with closed windows can heat up to alarming
temperatures in just minutes. The average temperature on the dashboard
in a car without a sunshade, after fifteen minutes, reached 149 degress
Farenheit. The testing further revealed that, in the same extreme conditions,
a car using an accordion style sunshade in the windshield was
able to keep the dashboard surfaces an average of 43 degree Farenheit cooler.
The high temperatures and the rapid increase in the heat inside
your vehicle exemplifies the need for an auto sunshade to reduce
the temperatures inside your car, even when you will only be away
for a short period of time.
Sunshades
reflect sunrays by blocking the sunlight coming through the windshield.
They were designed primarily to help prevent heat build-up and
protect your vehicle. Since they act as a radiant barrier, they
can help reduce the heat in your car in addition to blocking 99
percent of damaging UV rays in the protected area. Sunshades help
protect your car's interior since heat and prolonged exposure
to the sun can cause your car's interior to fade, crack, discolor
and chalk.
"Using
a sunshade and other sun protection products in your vehicle are
simple and effective ways to help keep you and your car cooler,"
said Laurie Stevens, director of marketing for Auto ExpressionsTM
accessories. "When the temperature rises and the heat becomes
unbearable, it's vital that drivers take extra precautionary steps
to help protect themselves, their passengers and their vehicle
from the sun's damaging rays."
Tips for Having a "Cooler Car" — How to Help Beat
the Heat
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Park
in the shade whenever possible.
-
Use
a sunshade to help reduce the heat build-up.
-
Use
a fabric-based steering wheel cover to help protect your hands.
-
Open
doors and let the air circulate in the car for a few minutes
before getting into the car.
-
Set
your air conditioner to "regular or fresh air" before
switching to "maximum".
How
to Reduce Car Damage
-
Use
a sunshade to help reduce heat and sun-damage in your vehicle.
-
Reduce
harmful UV rays with tinted windows.
-
Protect
steering wheels, dashboard and seats with covers.
-
Wash
your vehicle regularly and use a wax with a UV absorber.
-
Maintain
vinyl and leather interiors with a UV absorbent cleaner/protectant.
-
Have
your cabin air filter and air-conditioning systems serviced
annually.
Auto
ExpressionsTM products are widely available to consumers in the
automotive aisles of many major retail chains. The sun protection
product offerings include the accordion fold reflective AutoShadeTM
sunshades; the spring like collapsible AutoShadeTM sunshades;
and side and rear window glare reducers to help protect backseat
passengers. For more information, visit www.auto-expressions.net.
About Auto ExpressionsTM
Auto ExpressionsTM products are produced and marketed by Shell
Lubricants. Shell Lubricants collectively refers to the companies
of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group engaged in the lubricants business.
Shell lubricants companies are global leaders in lubricants and
operate in approximately 100 countries worldwide. They manufacture
and blend products for use in a range of applications from consumer
motoring to food processing and heavy industry to commercial transport.
Shell
Global Solutions
Shell Global Solutions is a network of independent companies of
the Royal Dutch/Shell Group. Shell Global Solutions provides business
and operational consultancy, technical services, and research
and development expertise to the energy industry worldwide. Combining
leading-edge technology with extensive operating experience, they
provide innovative, yet practical solutions, designed to add maximum
value to their customer's operations.
Methodology
Auto ExpressionsTM, via Shell Global Solutions, fielded a series
of tests between April 20-21, 2005 in Southern CA, to determine
the interior temperature differences of two test subjects (identical
cars - same year, model, color) under similar settings and conditions.
One test subject included a car with an Auto Expressions TM shade,
and one test subject included a car without a sunshade. The test
subjects consisted of three different types (SUV, Mid-size, Compact)
and colors (Blue, Burgundy, Grey, White) of cars.
(1)
Findings are based on inside surface temperatures of a car on
an 89° F day (April 21, 2005) in Southern California. Actual
results may vary depending on geography, time in sun, make of
car, size of window and direction to which car is parked.
(Source: Auto
Expressions)
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