When summer heat kicks in, stepping into a sun-soaked car can feel like entering an oven. But does your car's color actually make a difference in how hot it gets? The short answer is yes—and if you’ve ever touched the surface of a black car on a sunny day, you’ve probably felt just how much hotter it can be compared to a white one.
Understanding the role of vehicle color in temperature buildup can help you make more informed choices about your car, your comfort, and how to protect your vehicle in hot weather.
Why Color Affects Car Temperature
The main reason car color influences heat buildup is due to how different colors absorb or reflect sunlight. Dark colors, like black and deep blue, absorb more of the sun’s radiation, including both visible light and infrared heat. Light colors, particularly white and silver, reflect a higher percentage of that energy.
That means a black vehicle absorbs more heat than a white one under identical conditions. This isn’t just a theory—it’s something you can feel in the cabin, on the seats, and even on the steering wheel.
How Much Hotter Does a Black Car Get
Studies and real-world tests have shown that the interior temperature of a black car can be significantly higher than that of a white car when both are parked in the sun. On a typical summer day, the cabin of a black car can reach 130 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit within an hour. A white car, under the same conditions, might be 10 to 20 degrees cooler.
While that difference might not sound huge, it’s noticeable the moment you climb in. Hotter interiors take longer to cool down and place more strain on your air conditioning system, which can affect fuel efficiency and comfort during the drive.
Paint Color and Surface Temperature
The exterior of a black car also becomes significantly hotter to the touch than that of a white car. On a sunny day, the surface of a black vehicle can exceed 170 degrees Fahrenheit, while a white car might stay closer to 120 or 130 degrees. This difference doesn’t just affect comfort—it can also impact the longevity of paint, trim, and plastic components.
Prolonged exposure to intense heat can accelerate fading, warping, and cracking, especially on dashboards, door panels, and vinyl seats. That’s why understanding the impact of vehicle color is especially important in warm climates or for those who regularly park outside.
Other Factors That Affect Cabin Heat
While color plays a significant role, it’s not the only factor that determines how hot your car gets. Window tinting, windshield reflectors, interior materials, and how long the vehicle is exposed to sunlight all contribute to heat buildup.
For example, cars with dark leather interiors often feel hotter than those with light fabric interiors. Windows without tint allow more infrared light to pass through, heating the seats and steering wheel faster. Vehicles with smaller windows and lighter-colored dashboards tend to retain less heat.
If you’re concerned about summer comfort, it's worth looking at these features in addition to your vehicle’s paint color.
Ways to Keep Your Car Cooler in Summer
Regardless of your car’s color, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep your cabin temperature in check:
- Park in shaded areas whenever possible, even if it means walking a bit farther.
- Use windshield sunshades to reflect sunlight and protect the dashboard.
- Tint your windows within local legal limits to block UV and infrared rays.
- Crack the windows slightly (safely and when appropriate) to allow hot air to escape.
- Use light-colored seat covers or steering wheel wraps to reduce heat retention.
Keeping your vehicle cooler not only improves comfort but also protects sensitive components from premature aging.
Does Color Affect Fuel Economy
Indirectly, yes. In hotter interiors, the air conditioning system has to work harder and longer to reach a comfortable temperature. Over time, this additional load on the engine can slightly reduce fuel efficiency—especially in stop-and-go traffic or during short trips when the A/C system never gets a break.
Though the difference may be minimal in most cases, it’s another small reason to consider color if you live in a consistently hot environment.
Keep Your Vehicle Summer-Ready With Don Lee’s Tire & Auto in Raleigh, NC
Whether your car is black, white, or any color in between, it needs a little extra care in hot weather. At Don Lee’s Tire & Auto in Raleigh, NC, we help drivers stay cool and safe all summer long. From A/C performance checks to coolant system service and sun protection recommendations, we’ve got your summer driving needs covered.
Schedule your summer maintenance today with Don Lee’s Tire & Auto, and drive with confidence—no matter what color your car is.