temperature difference for black vs white cars - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #1 08-01-2005, 02:07 PM

does anybody know what affect black vs white or silver has on interior temps when trying to cool the car. my black sdl is making me daydream of a silver roof>

tom w

jcantor · #2 08-01-2005, 02:29 PM

I believe that the interior temperature of a parked car has a lot more to do with the interior color than the exterior color. Think of the car as a greenhouse. Sunlight enters through the glass and is absorbed by the interior - more if it is a dark color, less if it is a light color. Once the light energy is converted to heat (infrared), it can no longer pass easily through the glass and is therefore trapped in the car. Thus if you have a light colored interior, less of the sun's energy is converted to heat and more is reflected back out as light which passes easily through the glass.

My own experience, although with very dissimilar cars, follows this pattern. A girlfriend in a former life had a white T-Bird with a dark blue interior. At the time, I had a black Chrysler 5th Ave with a light gray interior. The cars were often parked side-by-side in the summer sun and hers was always hotter when we returned.

jlc

leathermang · #3 08-01-2005, 02:43 PM

Some manufacturer's do a better job of insulating the roof than others...
The best deal in a hot climate .... White car, white interior, tinted windows and good insulation above the headliner...
and R12 in the Air conditioner.....

Hatterasguy · #4 08-01-2005, 02:50 PM

I just leave my windows open all of the time. Blue on black heats up real nice on 90+ degree days.

meltedpanda · #5 08-01-2005, 04:02 PM

I am with jcantor
the only time I use AC is in the mornign after the ol gal has sat in the garage
Once the sun heats up my chocolate brown interior, nothing cools it off. Its open windows and sunroof for me

123 · #6 08-01-2005, 05:01 PM

i also have chocolate brown leather and it gets so hot, im thinking of getting my windows tinted

skaa · #7 08-01-2005, 08:15 PM

I took this picture 2 weeks ago as I was driving home to San Diego. 8 hours of the Arizona and California desert doing 65 mph at 3,000 rpm's, and the engine temps running fine. Windows down and sun-roof open. That's why it's 3* cooler inside the car!
SteveKaa
---------------------------------------------
1982 300SD 351k miles

t walgamuth · #8 08-01-2005, 09:13 PM

i am getting it coming and going. black on black.

tom w

rg2098 · #9 08-01-2005, 09:18 PM

I suppose my green / palomino interior must be pretty good with heat reduction. Although it does seem to get pretty hot.

Ara T. · #10 08-01-2005, 11:28 PM

White on Palamino gets pretty hot in only 90 degree weather.

JimmyL · #11 08-02-2005, 12:30 AM

I've had a black truck for 26 years, and a white one for almost 10 years now. The white truck without a sunshield in the windshield will get to 140. It stays around 120 with the sunshield in place.
Now, not to minimize your question, but over 120, which both will be over, is there that much of a difference?

kevinrea · #12 08-02-2005, 12:33 AM

with a black car out in the hot sun, you will not be able to leave your hand on it very long..
with a white one right next to it.. it is cool to the touch.

t walgamuth · #13 08-02-2005, 12:38 AM

that fact. i will try this experiment. thanks to everyone for their comments. keep them coming.

tom w

BluEyes · #14 08-02-2005, 01:53 AM

When he owned it, my uncle painted the roof my 220D white. The car was originally all Navy Blue. He said it made a big difference in comfort (car has no AC). I like the look, makes the car seem even classier.
Years ago, my parents had two Renaults. Same make and model, both had red interiors and tinted windows (same DIY tint). One was silver, the other red. The silver car was noticably cooler inside than the red one.
Everything else being equal, I'd pick a light colored car over a darker colored one for something I drive everyday...

t walgamuth · #15 08-02-2005, 09:47 AM

black is my last color choice. looks dirty almost as soon as you finish washing. but it does look good for a few minutes!

of course there is the heat difference, too

tom w

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