DIY Tips to Keep Your Car Comfortable in Any Season
A comfortable car interior isn’t just about personal preference — it directly affects driver alertness and fuel efficiency. A car that’s too hot in summer forces the air conditioning to work harder, increasing fuel consumption. A car that’s poorly maintained in winter loses heat rapidly and may take longer to reach operating temperature, which also increases wear. These practical DIY steps address both ends of the seasonal spectrum.
Summer: Keeping the Car Cool
Use a Windscreen Sun Shade
A reflective windscreen shade is the single most cost-effective way to reduce in-car temperature when parked. Studies have shown that a sun shade can reduce the internal temperature of a parked car by 15–20°C on a hot day. The dashboard, steering wheel, and child seats all absorb radiant heat through the glass — the shade blocks most of it. Collapsible reflective shades cost very little and last for years.
Apply Window Tinting Film
Window tinting film reduces solar heat gain through the side windows and, where permitted on the rear, the back windscreen. Self-adhesive film is available in various grades and is a manageable DIY project on flat or slightly curved glass — it requires patience, a squeegee, and a steady hand to apply without bubbles. Check your local regulations on permitted tint levels before purchasing.
Check and Service the Air Conditioning
Air conditioning systems gradually lose refrigerant over time. A system that isn’t cooling effectively is also working harder and consuming more fuel to produce less result. Re-gassing is typically a quick garage job, but you can check the cabin filter and clean the condenser fins (located in front of the radiator) yourself. A clogged condenser reduces cooling efficiency significantly.
Park in Shade and Use Ventilation
Whenever possible, park with the boot facing the sun — the rear glass is usually smaller than the windscreen and absorbs less heat. Leaving windows open by a centimetre on each side creates convective airflow that prevents heat from building to extreme levels. Before driving, open all windows and allow the hot air to flush out for 30–60 seconds before engaging the air conditioning.
Winter: Keeping the Car Warm Efficiently
Check Door and Window Seals
Rubber door seals degrade with age, especially in cold climates. Cracked or compressed seals allow cold air in and warm air out, making the interior harder to heat and potentially allowing water ingress. Clean the seals with a soft brush and mild soap solution, then treat them with a silicone-based rubber conditioner. This keeps them flexible, improves their seal, and prevents them from freezing to the door frame overnight.
Use a Quality Windscreen Cover
A frost and ice cover keeps the windscreen clear overnight and means you don’t need to run the engine for extended periods to defrost it — a habit that wastes fuel, contributes to wear, and is illegal when left unattended in some regions. Magnetic-edged windscreen covers stay in place in wind and take seconds to fit and remove.
Check the Coolant Antifreeze Level
Coolant has two jobs: preventing the engine from overheating in summer and preventing the cooling system from freezing in winter. Check the antifreeze concentration using an inexpensive refractometer — it should be mixed to protect to at least -25°C in cold climates. Pure water in the cooling system will freeze, potentially cracking the engine block. Top up with the correct premixed coolant, never plain water.
Keep a Winter Kit in the Boot
A shovel, a bag of grit or cat litter (for traction on ice), a blanket, jump leads, and a charged power bank cost very little and can be genuinely important in a breakdown situation in cold weather. Keeping them in the boot year-round means you’re always prepared without having to remember to pack them.
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