A sun shade protects your vehicle's interior from the damaging effects of the sun's UV rays. It also helps keep the car cooler, which reduces the amount of time you'll have to blast the AC until it catches up to your vehicle's exterior temperature. It's important to understand how to fold your car shade so it's easy to use and store when not in use.

Whether you're buying a new or used car, it pays to protect the interior with a quality sun shade. These shade products block the sun's harmful rays, reduce the interior temperature and help preserve the car's color and finish. In addition, they prevent the inside of the car from heating up to oven-like temperatures, which can ruin the leather seats and scorch the dashboard and other interior surfaces.

When selecting a car sun shade, it's helpful to read reviews and comparison shop for the best deals. You'll also want to make sure the product you select is designed to fit the specific windshield of your vehicle. Some models are a universal fit, while others have a specialized design that makes them easier to install and more likely to stay put once they're in place.

The easiest and most convenient car sun shades have accordion designs that collapse into a smaller size and expand with the click of a button. When folded, these shades are about the same size as a collapsing umbrella and can easily be stored in the door pocket or behind a seat of your car.