If you live in the South or the Midwest, you know first-hand just how volatile the temperatures can be. Scorching summers and sub-zero winters often leave the locals hibernating until the weather cooperates. However, life must go on, and when you have to leave the comfort of your home HVAC system, it’s important to have vehicle comforts to make your journey more enjoyable.

A variety of car features can make driving in the South or Midwest more comfortable, no matter the season. Paired with an extended warranty, also known as a vehicle service contract or auto protection plan, these features help enhance comfort, performance, and reliability on the road.

Essential Car Features for Southern Drivers

Southern states are famous for sunshine and hot temperatures, day or night. However, thanks to daily afternoon rain showers, the sunshine is accompanied by high humidity, creating a hot and steamy environment. These high temperatures can wreak havoc on your car’s interior, stress your vehicle’s systems, and be dangerous to you and your passengers.

Top 10 Hottest States in the United States

According to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), many Southern states make the top 10 list of the hottest states in the United States, including:

1. Texas

• Average Summer Temperature: 82.3 Degrees Fahrenheit (°F)
• Record Highest Temperature: 120 °F

2. Louisiana

• Average Summer Temperature: 81.9 °F
• Record Highest Temperature: 114 °F

3. Florida

• Average Summer Temperature: 81.8 °F
• Record Highest Temperature: 109 °F

4. Oklahoma

• Average Summer Temperature: 80.3 °F
• Record Highest Temperature: 120 °F

5. Mississippi

• Average Summer Temperature: 80.2 °F
• Record Highest Temperature: 115 °F

6. Hawaii (not the South)

• Average Summer Temperature: 79.4 °F
• Record Highest Temperature: 100 °F

7. Georgia

• Average Summer Temperature: 79.4 °F
• Record Highest Temperature: 112 °F

8. South Carolina

• Average Summer Temperature: 79.4 °F
• Record Highest Temperature: 113 °F

9. Alabama

• Average Summer Temperature: 79.3 °F
• Record Highest Temperature: 112 °F

10. Arizona (not the South)

• Average Summer Temperature: 79.3 °F
• Record Highest Temperature: 128 °F

How Much Hotter Is It in My Car?

We’ve all experienced the stifling heat that accompanies opening the car door that’s been parked in the summer sun. All you can think about is getting the car air conditioning running immediately. Now that we know how hot it gets outside, how hot is it really inside your vehicle?

The temperature in your vehicle can rise as much as 20 °F in as little as 10 minutes in the sun. After 90 minutes, the average temperature inside your vehicle is 48 degrees hotter than the temperature outside, creating high temperatures even when temperatures are mild.

In places like the South and the Midwest, where the outside temperatures can reach dangerous levels, having car features that keep you cool is imperative not just for comfort but also for safety. While having a car with the best safety features is good, having the best car features for your climate can be equally important.

Best Car Features for Summer Driving

You don’t have to live in one of the hottest states in the United States to be uncomfortable in hot summer temperatures. High temperatures aren’t just uncomfortable for your ride; they can cause significant damage to your vehicle.

Manufacturers like Ford, Chevrolet, and Mercedes have air conditioning units to handle the heat. However, battling the heat doesn’t stop there. Having the best features for hot temperatures can help you and your car stay cool.

Ventilated Seats

Ventilated seats, also known as “cooled seats,” draw cooled air from your vehicle’s cabin through your seat’s upholstery, directing airflow to the person in the seat. This regulates temperature and humidity, keeping you cooler and sweat-free.

As an added bonus, some cars with ventilated seats may also have the option for heated seats, which can help provide additional comfort to Midwest drivers when the temperatures go to the other extreme in the winter.

Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control

Dual-zone climate control and multi-zone climate control are vehicle features that allow the driver and passengers to control their own temperature settings. This is especially helpful to drivers in the South and Midwest, efficiently cooling the vehicle’s interior and providing personalized comfort.

With dual-zone automatic climate control, the cabin temperature automatically adjusts to maintain a consistent temperature, reducing the strain on key components of the air conditioning system. But it can also prolong the life of the upholstery by reducing heat exposure.

Remote Start

Having a vehicle remote start enables you to turn on your car from a distance using your vehicle’s key fob. Not only will the feature start your car engine, but it will activate your vehicle’s climate control settings, allowing you to cool the interior cabin before your drive begins.

Alternatively, you can also warm your car with this feature during chilly mornings and frigid Midwest winters.

Heat-Resistant Interiors

Some automakers have created vehicles with heat-resistant features. Some come with additions such as heat shields and heat resistant materials that save energy and reduce heat absorption. Not only that, but car manufacturers like Nissan are even adding materials to their paint to reflect light, reducing heat inside the vehicle.

UV-Protective Windows

On average, a car’s windows take up 15% to 20% of the total surface area of a car, allowing plenty of sunshine to come through, quickly increasing your vehicle’s interior temperature. When a car has UV-protective windows, it means they’ve been treated with a special coating or film that blocks out the sun’s UV rays. This extra protection can keep the interior of your vehicle lower, protecting you, your interior, and the components of your HVAC system.

Top Car Features for Midwest Drivers Facing Drastic Seasonal Changes

Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, and the other Midwestern states have their own unique weather-related challenges. Not only can the states in the Midwest experience severe heat and humidity in the summer that rivals the steamy South, but the weather fluctuates dramatically to harsh winters, sometimes within the same week. In fact, the Midwest has some of the coldest states in the United States, including:

North Dakota is the second coldest state in the United States, second only to Alaska.

• Average winter temperature: 13.8 °F
• Record lowest temperature: -60 °F

Minnesota is the Midwestern state that also ranks as the third coldest state in the U.S.

• Average winter temperature: 14.1 °F
• Record lowest temperature: -60 °F

Wisconsin rounds out the top ten list of the coldest states in the country.

• Average winter temperature: 19 °F
• Record lowest temperature: -55 °F

Best Car Features for Winter Driving

Harsh winter temperatures can make your commute uncomfortable and potentially dangerous without the appropriate features. Winter driving hazards cause thousands of accidents annually and can put excess strain on your car’s systems. Having the best winter car features can add another layer of comfort and protection.

Remote Start

Although remote smart can help keep you cool and reduce heat related injuries all summer long, remote start is equally as helpful in the winter. With the touch of a button, you can start your vehicle from the comfort of your home, office, or even the grocery store. The ability to do this keeps you comfortable by allowing the cabin to warm up.

However, remote start is especially helpful to keep your vehicle running at its best in the winter. Cold temperatures mean that your car engine oil is thicker and the engine components are cold, making it imperative to give your vehicle time to warm up before driving. Rather than sitting in your vehicle waiting for the vehicle’s temperature gauge to reach optimal temperatures, remote start allows you to get things started while you finish getting ready before you head out the door.

Heated Seats and Steering Wheel

Just like having ventilated seats provide additional comfort in humid summers, having heated seats and a steering wheel can make your commute more enjoyable regardless of how low the temperatures outside dip. Not only do they quickly warm you, they can also provide relief for muscle soreness and arthritis.

All-Wheel Drive (AWD) or Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)

Winter and snow go hand-in-hand in the Midwest, with many states getting a significant amount of snow accumulation throughout the year. Whether it’s dangerous snow drifts, icy roads, or even the slippery muddy conditions left after the snow melts, winter snow conditions are often hazardous.

If you live in the Midwest, having a vehicle with all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive can keep you and your vehicle safe both on and off-road by providing driving power to all four wheels rather than just two.

All-Weather Tires

The Midwest is known for its extreme temperature fluctuations. Since tires should last for several years if they’re treated correctly, having all-weather tires is essential to safe driving in the region. All-weather vehicle tires ensure that your tires are getting optimal traction no matter the season.

3 Maintenance Tips for Vehicles in Extreme Temperature

Routine vehicle maintenance is important for every vehicle. However, vehicle owners living in the American South and Midwest have additional car maintenance requirements to keep their investments running smoothly.

Check Coolant Levels Frequently

Extreme temperatures put all of your vehicle components under additional stress, especially your car’s engine. Overheating and freezing can cause irreparable catastrophic damage. Make sure that your coolant is at the right level to keep your engine operating at ideal temperatures.

Regularly Check Tire Pressure

Temperature fluctuations can dramatically impact your tire pressure. When the weather is hot, the air inside your tire expands, potentially resulting in overinflation. Alternatively, when the weather is cold, the air compresses, potentially causing underinflation. Avoid both hazardous conditions (and improve your fuel economy) by checking your tire pressure frequently.

Maintain the Heating and Cooling Systems

Service your car’s heating and cooling system to ensure that you’re comfortable when the weather swings from one extreme to the next. Not only that, but extreme temperatures can be potentially dangerous to your health and the longevity of your vehicle’s components. Keep you and your car safe by keeping the heat and air conditioning in working order.

Protecting Your Vehicle in Harsh Regional Climates

One of the best things you can do to keep your vehicle running in top condition, especially with extreme weather changes, is to keep up with routine vehicle maintenance and car inspections. Extreme hot or cold temperatures put more stress on your vehicle’s systems. Routine checks and car care can help you catch any leaks or other minor issues before they become major car repairs. Keeping up with your car’s maintenance schedule can keep your car running smoother and longer and reduce mechanical breakdowns regardless of the weather.

How Endurance Warranty Protects All Cars and Drivers

In the event of an unexpected mechanical breakdown, Endurance auto protection plans cover the costs of most weather-related mechanical issues, such as air conditioning system repairs, car engine problems, and other critical systems and components.

Not only that, but every Endurance Warranty plan comes with additional benefits, including roadside assistance in case of emergencies. This includes towing assistance, lockout services and gas delivery so you aren’t stuck on the side of the road during extreme temperatures.

Additional included perks are:

• Trip interruption coverage in case mechanical failures happen while you’re on a road trip
• Rental car coverage so you can keep your routine while your car is at the local car repair shop or dealership

You can also boost your savings by activating a year’s worth of our Elite Benefits package. This can save you money on tire repairs and replacements, key fob replacements, and more — over $2,000 in added benefits.*

Endurance Warranty Offers Year-Round Protection for Weather-Related Repairs

Having a vehicle with the best car features for the climate and keeping up with routine maintenance can help keep your used or new car running at its best, no matter the climate. Regardless of whether you’re facing extreme hot or cold weather driving, having an extended car warranty can provide a financial safety net against expensive car repairs.

Get peace of mind that you’re protected before it’s too late. Call Endurance today at (800) 253-8203 to explore customizable auto protection plans or request a FREE quote online. You can even shop our eStore to get personalized plan recommendations and pricing now.

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