When the sun blazes down and the air feels thick enough to swim through, one question always comes up: “Should I park my car in the garage during summer?” The answer is a resounding yes. Your garage isn’t just a dumping ground for holiday decorations and rusty tools—it’s a sanctuary for your car when summer temperatures soar.
Why bother? Well, parking your car in the garage can save you from the agony of sitting on searing hot seats, protect your paint from sun damage, and keep your engine from baking in the sweltering heat. Leaving your car outside might sound convenient, but the cost of sun damage, cracked interiors, and overheated engines should make you think twice.
But let’s be honest—just parking in the garage isn’t enough. You need to make sure your space is prepared for the summer heat, and that means taking a few extra steps to keep your car cool and safe. Here are four crucial tips to help you make your garage a summer-friendly haven for your vehicle.
1. Declutter and Organize: A Clear Space for Your Car
A cluttered garage in the summer is more than just an eyesore—it’s a safety hazard. Piles of stuff trap heat, restrict airflow, and can even turn your garage into a tinderbox during heat waves. Start by clearing out the floor space to ensure there’s plenty of room for your car and proper ventilation.
One way to tackle this is by using overhead storage or wall-mounted shelving. A great option is the Fleximounts WRC24B Corner 2-Pack 2’ x 4’ Wall Shelving. Made from powder-coated steel, each shelf can hold up to 220 lbs, providing sturdy, reliable storage for all your summer gear—think pool floats, garden tools, and camping equipment. Plus, it’s easy to install solo, and its one-piece grid design makes it more stable than other multi-piece options on the market.
By utilizing your walls and corners, you free up valuable floor space, making it easy to maneuver your car in and out without risking a fender bender with a rogue lawnmower. Plus, a tidy garage helps improve airflow, keeping temperatures a bit more manageable during the hottest months.
Pro Tip: Summer also brings an increase in critters seeking shade. A clutter-free garage reduces hiding spots for pests like mice, who are drawn to the cooler, dark corners of your space.
2. Keep Your Garage Cool: Beat the Heat
An unventilated, uninsulated garage can feel like an oven in the summer, and parking your car in this sweltering environment can cause engine fluids to evaporate and interiors to warp. To combat the heat, start by improving air circulation.
Install Ventilation Fans: Placing a fan near the garage door can help pull cooler outside air into the space. For more robust cooling, consider adding a ceiling fan or wall-mounted exhaust fan to keep hot air moving out.
Insulate Your Garage Door: Just like in winter, insulation works both ways—keeping cold in and heat out. Adding an insulated garage door or applying insulation panels can significantly reduce the temperature inside.
Use a Reflective Car Cover: Even inside the garage, the sun’s heat can seep through windows. A reflective car cover can help deflect sunlight, preventing the interior from turning into a sauna.
Bonus Tip: Consider applying a heat-reflective coating on garage windows. This will cut down on direct sunlight and help maintain a cooler environment.
3. Manage Moisture and Odors: A Fresh, Dry Space
Summer brings humidity, and with it, the risk of mold, mildew, and that musty smell nobody wants lingering in their garage. When moisture mixes with the heat, it can damage stored items and even affect your car’s exterior over time.
Use a Dehumidifier: Investing in a small garage-friendly dehumidifier can help keep the moisture levels down, which is especially important if you live in a humid climate. A dehumidifier also prevents rust on tools and keeps the air fresh.
Keep the Floor Dry: With kids running in from the pool or sweat-drenched gear coming in from the yard, water on the garage floor can become a breeding ground for mold. Absorbent floor mats or moisture-absorbing granules can help keep your garage floor dry and safe.
Seal the Cracks: Inspect your garage for any cracks or gaps where moisture might seep in. A quick application of weatherproof caulk can make a big difference in controlling the climate inside.
4. Prep Your Car: Summer-Ready and Protected
Parking your car in the garage helps shield it from the sun’s rays, but it’s still crucial to give your vehicle a little extra summer love.
Wash and Wax: Dust, pollen, and bird droppings can bake into your car’s paint under the hot sun. A thorough wash followed by a quality wax job helps protect the finish and keeps your car looking sharp all season long.
Check Tire Pressure: Hot weather can cause tire pressure to increase, leading to potential blowouts. Regularly check your tires to ensure they’re properly inflated.
Protect the Interior: Even in a garage, the heat can warp dashboards and fade upholstery. Use a sunshade inside the windshield to keep UV rays from damaging your car’s interior.
Coolant Check: Make sure your car’s coolant levels are topped up and that the system is free of leaks. A quick check can prevent overheating during those unexpected summer road trips.
Final Thoughts: Safety First for Summer Parking
Parking your car in the garage during the summer is about more than just avoiding sunburned seats. It’s about protecting your investment from heat damage, maintaining a cooler environment, and keeping your space organized and safe. By taking these steps, you’ll not only extend the life of your vehicle but also make your garage a pleasant, functional space throughout the hot months.
By decluttering, ventilating, managing moisture, and prepping your car for the heat, you’re not just parking smarter—you’re making your life easier. So, roll into summer with confidence, knowing your car is safe, cool, and ready for whatever adventures lie ahead.
