Automatic car awnings are becoming popular as extreme heat becomes more common. But do they work?

X user Dott. Orikron (@orikron) posted a video of the awnings on July 5.

The video shows a car in the process of backing out of its parking space. It reportedly has a Mainiu automatic car awning on top. By pressing a button on a remote control, the person recording the video activates the awning, which folds up into a small case attached to the top of the vehicle.

In the caption, Orikron writes, “Mainiu’s automatic car awnings are becoming popular in China to avoid cars becoming boiling hot when parked outside during the summer.”

How Does Extreme Heat Impact Cars?

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Anyone who’s ever climbed into a hot car—especially one with a leather interior—knows the pain of a scorching hot seat, steering wheel, and seat belt buckle.

But extreme heat isn’t just a comfort issue.

High temperatures can damage your car’s battery, air conditioning, tires, and fuel system.

In fact, AAA recommends getting your car inspected every summer to limit potential emergency roadside situations due to heat’s effects on your vehicle.

What Are Automatic Car Awnings?

An automatic car umbrella is a sunshade canopy that provides protection from heat and ultraviolet (UV) light. It also purportedly protects your car from precipitation, dirt, and other debris.

There are a range of sizes and prices to choose from.

Amazon sells these umbrellas for $280 to nearly $940. Walmart has a semi-automatic one available for $150; fully automatics cost between $210 and $230, depending on size. You can also get one from AliExpress for approximately $525 ($350 plus $175 for shipping).

According to the marketing materials, these umbrellas create a 30-degree temperature difference in your car versus the outdoors.

These umbrellas are becoming popular as summer heat becomes more extreme due to climate change. Across much of the northern hemisphere, intense heat has threatened energy, manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture sectors.

Do They Work?

The handful of people who’ve reviewed one of the car umbrellas on Amazon agree that it does keep your vehicle cooler.

One person attested that it “keeps the car at an even temperature here in the Southwest.”

Another warned that the umbrella damaged the roof of their Lexus, however.

“It twisted up so bad. But the thing is it scratched up my Lexus. I’m so upset about this but can’t get a hold of the seller. And to add insult to injury I have to pay to send it back,” they said.

Viewers React

Some people who commented on Orikron’s post were impressed by the automatic umbrellas.

“At what cost (because I want to buy one),” wrote one.

Of course, not everyone on the internet agrees. Many in the comments either dreamed up their own improvements or compared the invention to the cabin overheat protection feature in Teslas.

“That’s an electric car, no?” asked one person. “Why can’t it just turn on the ac once it reaches 30 degrees Celsius?”

A second person said, “Tesla solved this years ago without a silly car umbrella.” They included a screenshot describing Tesla’s cabin overheat protection feature.

A third opined, “Saw this before, interesting except when it’s windy.”

Motor1 reached out to Orikron via X direct message for comment. We’ll be sure to update this if they respond.

 
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