How Car Color Impacts Cabin Heat in the Texas Sun

Texas summers can turn your car into an oven in a matter of minutes. If you’ve ever opened the door on a hot afternoon and been hit by a wall of heat, you know the struggle. But did you know your car’s color plays a role in how hot the interior gets?

While parking in the shade or using sunshades can help, the color of your vehicle affects how much sunlight it absorbs. This might not be something you think about when choosing a car, but in a hot climate like Texas, it can make a noticeable difference. Let’s break down how car color impacts cabin heat and what you can do to stay cooler.

Dark Colors Absorb More Heat

It’s not just a myth—black cars really do get hotter. Dark colors like black, navy blue, and dark gray absorb more sunlight than lighter shades. This absorbed energy turns into heat, raising the temperature of the vehicle’s surface and eventually its interior.

When a black car sits in direct sunlight, its surface can reach well over 150 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat then radiates into the cabin, warming up the dashboard, seats, and air trapped inside. That’s why it often feels like stepping into a furnace when you open the door.

Lighter Colors Reflect More Sunlight

On the flip side, white, silver, beige, and other light-colored cars reflect a greater portion of the sun’s rays. That means they don’t heat up as quickly or retain as much warmth. The interior of a white car can be up to 15 to 20 degrees cooler than that of a black car in the same conditions.

While the difference might not seem huge on paper, it’s certainly noticeable when you get in. Lighter-colored vehicles generally feel more comfortable after sitting in the sun, especially in extreme heat.

Interior Color Also Affects Cabin Temperature

It’s not just the outside color that matters. Your car’s interior, especially the dashboard, seats, and door panels, also absorbs heat. Dark interiors trap heat just like dark exteriors, making black leather seats especially hot to the touch after sun exposure.

If your car has a dark interior, using seat covers or installing window shades can help reduce the amount of heat absorbed and protect surfaces from UV damage and fading.

Other Factors That Impact Interior Temperature

Car color is only one factor in cabin heat. Here are a few others that play a role:

Window tinting: Quality window tint blocks UV and infrared rays, dramatically reducing heat buildup.
Sunroof or moonroof: These features add sunlight exposure, especially if left uncovered.
Vehicle size and design: Larger windows and more glass surface area increase heat penetration.
Ventilation: Cars with better ventilation systems may cool down faster once started.

Combining a lighter exterior color with tinted windows and interior sun protection offers the best results for keeping your car cooler.

Tips to Keep Your Cabin Cooler in the Texas Heat

Regardless of color, here are a few practical steps you can take to beat the heat:

Use a reflective windshield sunshade every time you park.
Keep your windows slightly cracked (if safe) to allow heat to escape.
Apply ceramic window tint to block heat and UV rays.
Cover your steering wheel and seats if they’re made of dark leather.
Start your engine and run the AC with the windows down briefly before getting in.

These small habits can help make a big difference, especially during triple-digit days common throughout Texas.

Kwik Kar Auto Repair – Helping Texas Drivers Stay Cool Year-Round

At Kwik Kar Auto Repair in Plano and across our 17 other Texas locations, we know how intense the heat can get—inside and outside your vehicle. Whether you need AC service, window tinting, or help choosing sun protection products for your car, we’re here to help. Stop by your local Kwik Kar and let us keep you comfortable behind the wheel, no matter how hot it gets.

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What’s Causing That Grinding Noise When I Brake?

August 29, 2025

Brakes are one of the most important safety features on your vehicle, and any unusual noise when braking should be taken seriously. A grinding sound is especially concerning because it often points to worn parts that could compromise your stopping ability. Ignoring it can lead to more expensive repairs and reduced safety on the road. Knowing what causes brake grinding and acting quickly can help you avoid bigger problems. Worn Brake Pads The most common reason for grinding brakes is worn brake pads. Brake pads have a friction material that wears down with use. Once this material is gone, the metal backing plate makes contact with the brake rotor every time you press the pedal. This metal-on-metal contact creates a loud grinding sound and can quickly damage the rotors. Replacing pads before they wear down completely not only prevents grinding but also protects the rotors from costly damage. Damaged or Worn Rotors If you’ve been driving with worn pads for too long, your rotors may have deep grooves or scoring. This damage can also create a grinding sound, even after new pads are installed. Warped rotors from excessive heat can cause vibrations along with noise, making braking less smooth and less effective. In some cases, rotors can be resurfaced, but often they need to be replaced to restore safe, quiet braking. Debris Caught in the Brakes Small stones, rust flakes, or other debris can get lodged between the rotor and the brake pad. This creates a constant grinding or scraping noise when you brake or even when driving without braking. While this is less common, it’s still important to address it immediately since the debris can score the rotor’s surface and reduce braking performance. Caliper or Hardware Problems Brake calipers hold the pads in place and press them against the rotors when you brake. If a caliper is sticking or if the hardware is damaged, it can cause uneven pad wear, overheating, and grinding noises. A sticking caliper can also make the vehicle pull to one side while braking and can quickly overheat the brakes. Lack of Lubrication in Brake Components The moving parts of the braking system, such as caliper slides and contact points, need to be properly lubricated to operate quietly. Without lubrication, these parts can seize or wear unevenly, leading to noise and reduced braking efficiency. Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Grinding Brakes Driving with grinding brakes can cause serious damage to your braking system. Metal-on-metal contact wears down components quickly, increasing repair costs and making your car unsafe to drive. In extreme cases, you may lose braking ability altogether. Even if the grinding turns out to be caused by something minor, it’s better to have it checked early than to risk major brake failure. Diagnosing the Problem A professional brake inspection will include checking the thickness of the pads, the condition of the rotors, and the operation of the calipers. The technician will also look for debris, damage, and signs of overheating. From there, they can recommend the right repair—whether that’s replacing pads and rotors, cleaning out debris, or servicing calipers and hardware . Preventing Brake Grinding Routine brake maintenance is the best way to prevent grinding. Have your brakes inspected regularly, especially if you drive in heavy traffic, tow, or travel in hilly areas where brakes work harder. Replacing pads before they wear down completely keeps the rest of the braking system in better shape. Also, pay attention to early warning signs like squealing or squeaking when braking. These sounds often mean the pads are getting thin and need replacement soon. Brake Service at Kwik Kar Auto Repair – Parker Road – Plano, TX If you hear grinding when you brake, don’t wait to have it checked. At Kwik Kar Auto Repair – Parker Road in Plano, TX, our experienced technicians can diagnose the cause, replace worn parts, and restore your vehicle’s stopping power. Schedule your brake inspection today and drive with confidence knowing your brakes are safe and reliable.