I live somewhere where summer means climbing into a car that could bake cookies on the dashboard. Last July I sat in my car after work and the steering wheel was so hot I drove the first two blocks with my sleeves pulled over my hands like an idiot.

Turns out the AC-first approach — windows up, crank the AC, wait — is the slowest way to cool down. The car has to pump out all that superheated air before cool air even has a chance. There is a faster way and it takes about thirty seconds.

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The Japanese Door Trick

Roll down the passenger side window. Then walk to the driver side and open and close the driver door five times rapidly. This pumps the superheated air out of the car through the open window. It looks ridiculous — I have gotten some strange looks in parking lots — but it drops the interior temperature by 15 to 20 degrees in thirty seconds.

After the door pumping, turn on the car, set the AC to fresh air (not recirculate) on the lowest temperature, and roll up the windows. Once the air blowing out feels cool, switch to recirculate. This sequence gets the car comfortable in about two minutes instead of the usual five to ten.

Park Smart When You Can

If you have a choice, park facing away from the sun. Morning sun hits the windshield hardest — park facing east in the morning if possible. A sunshade for the windshield is worth every penny. I bought one for twelve dollars and it makes a ten-degree difference just by itself.

Crack your windows slightly if you are parked somewhere safe. Even a half-inch opening lets the superheated air escape instead of building up. I have a coworker who leaves all four windows cracked about an inch. His car is noticeably cooler than mine at the end of the day. I am too paranoid about rain to copy him, but I respect the commitment.

Cover the Things You Touch

The steering wheel and seat belt buckle can get hot enough to burn skin. Throw a towel over the steering wheel when you park. Keep a small cloth in the center console for the seat belt buckle. These two things take five seconds and save actual pain.

I also keep a spray bottle of water in the car. A few mists on the seats and steering wheel cools them down almost instantly through evaporative cooling. Not as elegant as the door trick, but works when you are in a hurry.