Park in the shade whenever possible. A garage is best, but even a tree or building shadow can make a real difference.
Use a windshield sunshade. It helps lower cabin temperature and protects the dashboard, steering wheel, and seats from sun damage.
Try to cover the seats and steering wheel, especially if your car has leather or dark interior trim. These surfaces heat up fast and can crack or fade over time.
Keep the car clean and apply wax or paint sealant now and then. Strong sun can dull paint and dry out exterior trim.
Check coolant regularly. In very hot weather, the cooling system matters a lot, and low coolant can quickly turn into overheating.
Inspect engine oil too. Heat puts extra stress on the engine, so clean oil at the right level helps.
Check tire pressure more often. High temperatures can affect pressure, and badly inflated tires wear faster and can become dangerous.
Test the battery if it is old. People often think cold weather is the main problem, but extreme heat can damage batteries too.
Do not leave heat-sensitive items inside the car. That includes electronics, aerosols, medicine, lighters, and anything that can melt, leak, or explode.
Crack the windows slightly only if it is safe and secure to do so. This may help reduce trapped heat, but security comes first.
When you first get in, open the doors for a moment or run the ventilation before driving. That helps release trapped hot air.
And most importantly, never leave children or pets inside a parked car, not even for a minute.
