Healthy Food Delivery : Why Using a Car Sun Shade Might Be Smarter Than You Think

Sunshades for cars and trucks have been around for decades. Early versions (also called sun visors) were placed on the exterior, connected to the roof. These visors acted like a baseball cap’s bill, reducing sun glare and blocking rain, as well as boosting a car’s style and character. Interior sun visors became standard when exterior sun visors fell out of favor. However, they did little more than block the sun from blinding you while driving.

Over my career as a General Motors and ASE Master Technician, I’ve replaced hundreds of expensive interior plastic trim panels and other components (usually not covered by auto insurance) damaged from excess sun exposure and dangerous high temperatures caused by the “greenhouse effect” that can quickly turn your car into an oven. Without a sunshade and with the windows rolled up, the sun’s infrared radiation waves (IR) become stuck inside your car, similar to how heat—even on the coldest days—becomes trapped inside a greenhouse.

Although today’s sunshades don’t block sun glare while driving, they do help reduce interior temperature and protect interior trim. Read along as seasoned automotive and automotive accessory experts share practical tips on using sunshades to protect your car and make driving more pleasurable.

What Are Sunshades Supposed To Do?

Sunshades are designed to block the sun’s damaging ultraviolet radiation (UV) rays and infrared radiation waves (IR). UV and IR pass through glass, heating up everything inside the passenger compartment. “Sunshades offer tremendous benefits of protecting interior trim, finishes and components,” says auto insurance and industry expert Melanie Musson. As interior temperatures rise, heat is transferred and absorbed by “components, such as the dashboard, steering wheel, trim and seats.”

“Control switches and metal can reach temperatures of 180-200 degrees F. in less than an hour,” says Juliette Zambrano, owner of Innovative Wraps. Throughout my own career, I have seen seats and trim fade and have replaced hundreds of dashboards/crash pads and other plastic trim pieces that were cracked and buckled, steering wheels that split and electrical parts all damaged by the sun’s destructive heat.

Benefits

“There are several advantages to using sunshades,” says Zambrano, including:

Blocking harmful UV rays prevents seat and color trim from fading.
Blocking sunlight’s radiation helps keep interior temperatures lower on bright, sunny days.
Lowering interior temperatures 30 to 40 degrees F. reduces air conditioning (AC) workload, lowering fuel costs.
Lowering interior temperatures also means “cooler touchpoints,” and a longer-lasting interior, added Zambrano.
Protecting the interior from damage “helps maintain your car’s resale value,” stated Musson.
Once set up, they are easy to install and remove, usually without tools or hardware.

Drawbacks

Obviously, you cannot drive with a sunshade blocking the windshield. Check with your state motor vehicle laws for restrictions on driving with side and back glass window curtains and mesh screens in place. Other drawbacks include:

Universal, or one-size-fits-all all sunshades may leave gaps along the edges or require trimming for proper coverage.
Some designs (accordion, roll-up) can be difficult to install in tight spaces or smaller cars.
Integrated suction cups provide stable installation but may leave unsightly “shadow marks” on the windshield.
Large or custom-fit shades may be tricky to remove or store neatly in your car.
Sunshades only cover the windshield; for complete coverage, you will need to add mesh window shades.
Cheaply made sunshades, or products made from poor-quality materials, can warp, wrinkle, and lose the ability to reflect IR and UV rays after repeated use.
Custom-made sunshades can be costly but offer the best fit and level of protection.

You need to weigh the pros and cons to determine if and what brand of sunshade is right for you. Then you’ll need to determine the best type/design.

Do They Work?

Yes. “They help regulate the temperature inside your car, making it more comfortable and preserving the lifespan of your electronics,” says Paul Knoll, Senior Marketing Director at American Trucks.

Your entire car is constantly at risk from sunlight. Blocking UV and IR, sunshades are the first line of protection against sun damage and blistering interior temperatures, while offering an “improved driving experience, especially on hot, sunny days,” says Zambrano. Instead of the interior of your car reaching blistering temperatures hot enough to burn your skin, sunscreens help the interior remain at lower temperatures that are not so punishing to you and your car’s interior.

Does the Material Sun Shades Are Made From Matter?

Yes, materials matter quite a bit. “Bright, reflective film that actually sits flat against the glass is best for heat reduction,” says Zambrano.

Look for sunshades that “integrate reflective materials such as metal-coated polyester (Mylar). These work best because they reflect the sun back instead of absorbing it,” says Knoll.

“There’s a wide range of materials that are effective,” added Musson. Better sunshades are made from 240T polyester, have multi-layers with a foam core that insulate better than fabric sunshades, and incorporate reflective vinyl coatings that offer durability and heat resistance.

“Mesh is also a great option for side and back windows to cut glare, but it won’t reflect heat as effectively as a reflective windshield shade would,” says Zambrano.

Best Sunshades For Your Car

Look for sunshades that offer a UV blockage protection rating of 90 percent or higher. According to Knoll, “custom-fit sunshades provide the best coverage and protection. Quality manufacturers like WeatherTech or Covercraft are known for manufacturing crisp-fitting, high-reflective sunshades [that increase] cooling efficiency.” For convenience, look for sunshades that are easy to set up and take down. You’re more likely to use them. “Foldable or accordion-fold shades are easiest for day-to-day use,” added Musson.

Alternate Ways To Keep Your Car Cool

Parking in shade, under a canopy or in a parking garage is the easiest and least expensive way to keep your car cool. Remember to keep the sunroof sunshade closed and be ready to remove any sap or bird droppings when parking under a tree. Tinted windows, reflective dashboard mats, solar-powered fans and side window shades all can help lower interior temperatures. Covering the steering wheel, seats and dashboard with towels can block direct sunlight. This will keep them cooler but won’t do anything to lower the interior air temperature.

FAQ

Should I crack my windows when parked?

It will help a little by venting out hot air. However, you need to consider security and weather. “It can soften that initial blast of heat when getting into your vehicle after it sat all day out in the sun,” says Zambrano.

Does window tinting help keep the car cool?

Yes, definitely. Today’s modern window tinting can reduce interior heat up to 60 percent, block up to 99 percent of UV rays and filter 90 percent of the sun’s IR, keeping the interior dramatically cooler. Some states allow sun-blocking window tint four to six inches from the top of the windshield. Before installing any window tinting, especially if your windows already have factory tinting, consult your state tinting laws for legal limits. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends reducing exposure to UV rays to defend against UV radiation, a leading cause of skin cancer.

Can I cool my car faster once I start driving?

Yes. If you have the ability to remotely start your car, let it run for a few minutes before getting in. To help force out hot air, open all the windows (and sunroof if you have one) and run the AC at full blast. I have a habit of driving with all the windows down for a few minutes. It helps evacuate the hot air, lowering temperatures faster and allowing the AC to cool my car quicker.

About the Experts

Juliette Zambrano is the owner and installer at Innovative Wraps and has over 13 years of experience in the automotive industry. Together with her husband Chris, she built Innovative Wraps into one of Albuquerque’s most trusted automotive shops for wraps, paint protection film, and ceramic coatings. Innovative Wraps is a trusted installer of STEK and Avery Dennison paint protection films. (Electronic communication, Sep. 12, 2025)

Melanie Musson, a published insurance and finance expert at Clearsurance and AutoInsurance.org and is the fourth generation in her family to work in the insurance industry, specializing in the auto industry.

Paul Knoll is Senior Marketing Director at American Trucks and is a dedicated car and truck enthusiast with a lifelong passion for vehicles.