You guys leave your car windows cracked open?

thestrangebrew1

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 2011
3,724
518
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Here in the Central Valley CA temps are supposed to be 105+ for the next 2 weeks, with a peak of around 115 in Fresno. I don't normally leave my windows cracked open, but I'm considering it during this heat spell. I just don't normally feel a difference between leaving them cracked open vs. completely closed. Do you guys?
 

pete6032

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2010
7,832
3,329
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Yes but it is still hot AF in my car when cracked versus rolled all the way up. Hard to tell the difference. I think most of the cooling off happens when you open the door.
 

RPD

Diamond Member
Jul 22, 2009
5,099
583
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Huh I live in the central valley as well, yes I crack my windows in the summer ever so slightly.
 

highland145

Lifer
Oct 12, 2009
43,973
6,333
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Half way down because there's no shade but I can see it from my desk chair. Thought about a sun shade but I know I'll get lazy and stop using it.
 

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
71,083
30,463
136
I crack my windows every day. It makes a huge difference in the Arizona sun/heat. If the car is in shaded parking, the effect is negligible.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
58,400
8,692
126
If I had those kind of temps I would. As it is, depending on where I'm at, I might not even roll them up. I lock up tight in sketchier areas, and I may or may not crack the windows. End of the day, it's just glass protecting your stuff. IOW, basically nothing.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
69,069
12,924
126
www.anyf.ca
No I don't in case it rains. When I first get in to drive anywhere I'll open the windows to let it air out while AC is on and then bring the windows up once the AC is starting to blow cold air.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
58,400
8,692
126
Sunroofs are kind of cool til they aren't. It's minor novelty with the potential for a huge headache.
 
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manly

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
12,443
3,296
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With direct sunlight, it can get extremely hot inside an enclosed vehicle. IIRC as high as 150 degrees or so?

I thought cracking open the window could make a difference of 10-20 degrees, which is better than nothing.

A sun shade helps a lot, esp. if you have a dark interior. You won't feel any better until the AC kicks in, but that happens sooner when your baseline temp isn't as extreme.
 

dullard

Elite Member
May 21, 2001
25,600
4,099
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Cracking the car windows open doesn't help much, just a few degrees usually unless you have them pretty wide open or have a strong cross breeze.

A sun shade is too much work for me. Plus, by the time I have it folded, the car is hot again and I'm sweating like a pig.

I simply put a towel on my car seat. The towel gets the direct sun, leaving the seat under it far cooler. Then I move the towel to the passenger side before sitting down. Makes a huge difference to the temperature of the seat (which to me is the most important part to keep cooler, but then I don't have ventilated seats) and you don't have to cook while folding those annoying sun shades. Lets me get the car moving ASAP to have the AC kick in.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
64,997
13,302
146
Sunroofs are kind of cool til they aren't. It's minor novelty with the potential for a huge headache.
That's no shit. My 2019 F150 came with the huge panoramic sunroof. It started leaking a couple of winters ago. Leaked into the sunroof opening and exited through the driver's side grab handle...and down the A pillar. Could have been worse. There's lots of electronics in this thing.


Fortunately, it was covered under warranty...final cost billed to Ford was over $3500.
 

MrSquished

Lifer
Jan 14, 2013
24,153
22,407
136
If I am ferrying around toddlers when it gets that hot I do leave the windows cracked so nothing happens.