Sunglass, sunscreen and other Cooling tips for summer driving

Keep cooling:

• If you haven't had the cooling system checked in a while, do it now. Have your mechanic do a visual check, and if needed, have it flushed and new coolant added. Not only will this keep your engine running, it will help the air conditioning run more effectively, too.
• Have your air conditioning unit serviced and the filters changed, and continue to change them regularly. Check the coolant level in the overflow tank and top off as needed with a 50-50 mix of antifreeze/coolant and water. If the engine is cool, check the level in the radiator as well. If the radiator is not completely full, have the cooling system checked by a professional. Never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot.
• Keep the thermostat set no lower than 78 degrees. Never, ever leave pets in a parked car from May through October. The interior temperature can top 140 degrees in minutes and cause heat stroke or death.
• Keep blinds and drapes closed during the day; use sunscreens outside large windows to block the sun.
• If you have an evaporative (or swamp) cooler, use it instead of the AC whenever possible, especially on less humid days.
• Use major appliances such as dishwasher, washer and dryer before 8 a.m. or after 7 p.m. during the week and only run full loads.
• Unplug cell phone chargers, unused appliances such as microwaves and extra televisions or clock radios when not in use. They are all phantom energy users.
• Visors keep the temperatures down a bit, "But more than that, they keep plastic and fabrics from being damaged by the sun," Perzichino said. "The sun can really age your car."
• And if you're in a safe area, crack the rear windows or sunroof to allow some of the heat escape. As long as your air conditioning system works, "it'll blow the hot air out pretty quick," he said.
• If you're thirsty, you're on your way to being dehydrated. Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day, and more. Know the signs. A rise in body temperature, not sweating, light headedness, nausea, muscle cramps and vomiting are all early warning signs of heat stress. Get out of heat and get cooled down, both externally and internally. Use cold compresses to start the cooling process. If the person is disoriented or unresponsive, get medical help immediately.
• With this in mind, this year, Ford will become the world's first automaker to feature a panoramic glass roof using Sungate infrared reflective (IRR) glass.  The technology will be fitted on the roof of the Ford Mustang GT and V-6 from this summer. The fixed glass roof rejects more than 95% of the sun's infrared energy while allowing more than twice the visible light of a conventional glass roof.  Rejecting the infrared energy keeps the car interior cooler and contributes to fuel savings when the air conditioner is running.

"The panoramic roof of Sungate glass provides the equivalent of 50 plus SPF ultraviolet [UV] protection, rejecting more than 99% of UV energy," said Mukesh Rustagi, PPG_Industries' global product market manager.  "It's basically the sun without the burn. You couldn't buy a sunscreen lotion this good."

According to Rustagi, the Sungate IRR glass technology reduces the initial workload on a vehicle's air conditioning system, which represents the biggest use of power for climate control in a vehicle.  "Because the air conditioner doesn't have to work as hard, fuel efficiency increases, and emissions are reduced," he said. The Mustang fixed-roof glass uses the same technology PPG features in its Sungate glass windshield.

Tyre:

• Have them checked for wear and tear, and be sure they're properly inflated. "One thing you don't want is to be standing by the side of the road having to change a tire or waiting for a tow truck," Perzichino said.
• According to AAA check and adjust tire pressures to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended settings – check your owner’s manual or door jamb for these numbers, and don’t forget the spare. Inspect the tire sidewalls for bulges, and check the tread for excessive or uneven wear that indicates the need for wheel alignment and/or tire replacement. For maximum life, rotate your tires at the mileage interval specified in your owner’s manual. Note that some vehicles use differently-sized tires front and rear that cannot be rotated

Cover:

A cloth steering wheel cover will definitely save your hands. There are booties you can get to protect their paw pads. "If it's too hot for your feet, it's too hot for theirs," according to Dr. Rebecca Diaz of Desert Animal Hospital in Palm Springs.

Pool:

• Aside from buying lots of fun stuff, like floatie chairs, pool games and toys, Steve Garcia of Leslie's Pool Supplies suggests:
• If you do your own pool maintenance, take a sample of the pool water to a professional and have it tested. This will insure that the chemical balance is correct.
• Make sure the pump basket is free of debris and that the filter has been properly cleaned.
• A fence with an appropriate gate and lock will help keep small children and animals out of the pool when there isn't an adult around.
• A little caution will make your summer more pleasant, according to Dr. Michael Jardula of Desert Oasis Health Care in Palm Springs. His tips are part medical advice, part common sense.

Sunscreen and Sunglass:

• For babies six months and younger dress in lightweight long sleeved tops and pants. Also, use sun shades on car windows. For older children, use sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15 with UVA and UVB protection, at least 30 minutes before exposure, even on cloudy days.
• The best protection from the damaging effects of ultraviolet light is to simply limit sun exposure. But for sun lovers or those who simply can't avoid the sun, Dr. Jacobs says there are measures to help protect your eyes and the sensitive skin around your eyes from damaging UV light.
• Use sunscreen every day, even if you work indoors. Put it on before driving to work and re-apply before driving home. If you are working or playing outside, reapply more often.
• Currently, experts from the American Academy of Dermatology, American Cancer Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Mayo Clinic recommend adopting the following precautions to prevent the short-term and long-term damage the sun can cause.
• Choose a product with "broad spectrum" coverage and an SPF of at least 15. Wear it even when the sky is overcast.
• Everyone needs to use sunscreen to protect from sun damage. Even those with dark skin tones or who tan easily without burning are at risk.
• Find a sunscreen product that works with your skin type so you wear it. If you have sensitive skin, avoid products containing fragrances or dyes. Test the product on a small area of skin for 3 days to assess whether it will irritate your skin.
• Apply sunscreen liberally; ensuring all exposed skin is covered, 30 minutes before going outdoors. You should use one full ounce of sunscreen lotion with each application. Protect your lips with a sunscreen-containing lip balm.
• In a statement American Optometric Association (AOA) ophthalmologist claim wearing a brimmed hat and eyewear with acceptable UV absorption rate are the most simple, safe and inexpensive methods for protecting the eyes. Moreover, they said sunglasses should be used whenever the eyes are exposed to UV radiation even on cloudy days and in wintertime.
• If you’re thinking summer, think sunglasses — a cool pair of shades for the hot months ahead.
• “This year, what’s really popular now are the larger lenses, glasses that are big and bold, with ornate frames so they actually provide more protection to the eye,” according to Tina Evans, optical manager at Eye Fashions at Progressive Vision Institute, Pottsville. “The larger the frame, the more it covers, the more protection it offers.” According to the statement;
• Good sunglasses should block out 99 percent of UV-A and UV-B radiation and screen out 75 percent to 90 percent of visible light. Some are labeled “UV 400,” while the Occupational Safety and Health Administration lends its acronym to those that block at least 99 percent of UV rays. Polycarbonate indicates 100 percent UV absorption.
• Choose shades that block at least 99 percent of UVA and UVB rays. The lenses should be perfectly matched in color and free of distortions or imperfections. It should be noted that individuals suffering from color blindness disease should choose the color of their eyewear lenses based on their underlying condition.
• Inspect shades up close and at arm’s length to make sure lenses don’t have imperfections or distortions that could hinder their effectiveness. Gray-colored lenses are the most recommended lenses as they reduce light-intensity without altering the color of objects. Sunglasses with red or pink colored lenses are not recommended.
• Gray-colored lenses are the most recommended glasses for men while women can wear green or brown glasses as well.
• Polarized sunglasses protect eyes against the reflection of light especially in snow or on the road. Such lenses prevent horizontal rays, the majority of reflected rays, from entering the eyes. Polarized sunglasses also reduce glare, so they’re good to wear while driving or around sand, snow, or water. Anti-reflective coatings and mirror lenses also provide sun protection.
• Lenses with a darker upper half are not a good choice as harmful rays usually enter from the lower part of the eye. Make sure nose pads are comfortable and in place and that the arm paddings do not press painfully against your head behind your ears.
• People who wear prescription glasses have a number of options: prescription shades, clip-ons, fit-overs, magnetic attachments, or prescription photochromic lenses that automatically transition from clear to dark as light increases.

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