How to Fold an Auto Sun Shade

2014-05-13

Sunlight streaming through the windshield of your car can bleach and weaken your dashboard and car seats. Protect your car from sunlight damage and keep your car cooler when it is parked out in the sun by using a sun shade. The most popular sun shades are simple cardboard rectangles that fold up like accordions. When not in use, simply fold these sun shades and store them in the backseat.

Part of maintaining your vehicle correctly is protecting the interior from extreme temperatures and the damage that UV rays can cause. An auto sun shade, which fits into the inside of the windshield and blocks the sun's rays, is a perfect solution. Unfortunately, the common pop-up and foldaway style can be confusing and many people grow frustrated, throwing the shades into their backseat floorboard and refusing to use them as they become warped from this improper care.

Instructions

1
Start with the sun shade completely unfolded, stretching length-wise as it would to go across the windshield.

2
Begin on the left-hand side (or driver's side). Depending on which side you have facing out, the first edge will either fold back (away from you) or it'll fold forward (the edge coming toward you). Follow the direction of the first crease to fold this section against its neighboring section.

3
Hold the folded shade at the top and bottom. Carefully twist the bottom half away from you as you fold the top half toward you. The shade will pop into place due to the shape of the frame.

4
Use a rubber band or elastic band to keep your shade completely closed, if the shade does not come with attached elastic bands. Store the shade between uses in a safe place where it will not be warped or torn.

5 Slip the elastic loops found on the end over the gathered shade to hold it closed. (Most sun shades will have elastic loops at the ends.) Use both loops and your sun shade should stay neatly closed.

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