Summer in Miami – does life get any better? If you are a BMW, you might think summer in Miami is Hell on Earth. The thing is, you might be right.
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When parked, unshaded, cars get absolutely blasted by the sun. According to researchers, cabin and dashboard temperatures can rise to well over 140°F and 200°F, respectively, after 60 minutes in the sun. Within 90 minutes, a parked car can actually cook a lamb loin. After just 10 minutes of being exposed to humid, 140-degree heat, the human body will succumb to hyperthermia, heatstroke and, ultimately, acute organ failure and death.
What does exposure to excessive sun and heat do to a car? 
Interior car components, particularly dark plastic, dashboards, seats and upholstery, take on significant thermal stress when exposed to direct sunlight, humidity and ambient temperatures above 140°F. Steering wheels begin to delaminate and peel. Plastic can soften and even melt (they can also emit benzene, a harmful chemical that’s been linked to anemia and poor immune systems). Cloth seats can fade, and leather will almost certainly crack over time. Now, what happens when you have car window shades or car sun visors installed? The sun radiates energy within the electromagnetic spectrum, primarily short-wave energy like infrared (heat) and ultraviolet radiation. Without shade, visible light from the sun passes through the windows and is absorbed by whatever it touches. Infrared light cannot escape through the glass, and that causes the cabin to heat up.
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Enter: Car sun shields. These cheap accessories – you can usually buy OEM car sun screens for under $100 – absorb or even reflect the visible light, depending on the auto sunshade material and color. Black sunshades for car windows will absorb more infrared (heat) and trap it in the vehicle, while something like a metallic or reflective sunshade will bounce more infrared and visible light away. A good car sun cover or shade can reduce cabin and dashboard temperatures by about 8% to 25%.
That may not seem like much, but a 25% reduction in heat and the elimination of direct sun exposure to soft-touch plastics is significant. (You’re maximizing its resale value!) So, buy a windshield sunshade – any sunshade – and make a habit of putting it up every chance you get.
How to Choose the Best Car Window Sunshade
- While a custom sun shade will do an adequate job of protecting your vehicle’s interior, the best car sunshade for windows will be OEM accessories that are built specifically for your model. Place an order for a BMW sunshade in Miami by clicking here.
- Always consider the size and shape of your windshield and windows when researching car sun blockers. It should be a snug fit, without any gaps. (Accordion-style sunshades and Brella shields are notorious for letting visible light leak in around the edges.)
- You can buy retractable sun shades or foldable products that come as one piece or in two pieces. A two-piece sunshade offers more flexibility in terms of storage, but it won’t offer as much consistent coverage. Keep that in mind.
- Side-window sunscreens don’t usually allow you to roll down the windows fully, though rear window sunshades provide additional protection to kids. Don’t skip these if you have children, especially babies or toddlers.
- Read products’ claims, but take them with a grain of salt. Not even the best windshield sun shade will keep your car cool as a cucumber, so keep your expectations low.
- Folding any type of heat-shield sunshade can be tricky. Prepare yourself and don’t be afraid to watch a few tutorial videos before you buy one.
Alternative Ways to Protect Your Car from the Sun
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You wouldn’t go bake in the sun without lathering on the sunscreen, so why wouldn’t you do the same for your vehicle? If you want some extra car sun protection in addition to a window sun shade, here are some tips.
- Park Your Car Facing North – This will help keep sunlight from directly hitting your dashboard.
- Window Tinting Can Help – Sunshades with window tinting offer double protection. Just be sure you’re following your state’s laws regarding auto glass tint!
- Solar-Powered Fans – The jury’s still out, but some claim that solar-powered fans and vents can help reduce heat buildup. Cracked windows won’t stop cars from heating up, so don’t bother unless you’re running a quick errand.
- Canopy Car Ports – You can always buy a large car port or canopy to install over your vehicle. It’s not very practical, but we’ve seen weirder things.
- Park in a garage – The best way to protect your car from the sun is to store it in a garage.
- Towels or Blankets – In a pinch, you can put towels and blankets on your dashboard, steering wheel, and seats to lower contact temperature and reduce the chance of fading or discoloration.
If you’d like to purchase a BMW sunshade for your X3, 530i, or another BMW model, contact our Parts and Accessories department at (786) 577-5220. Braman BMW proudly serves customers throughout South Florida, including Miami, Aventura, Coral Gables, Pembroke Pines and beyond. Stay cool out there, folks.
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