4 years ago
It's one of our most popular requests. It's called Auto Cool. It makes some pretty big claims.
We ordered Auto Cool online and paid just under $30, including shipping. It promises to keep your car cool on those hot summer days. We did this test twice.
We asked for help from the Buffalo Fire Department, we'll have their opinion coming up. But first, on a hot day, we parked two similar news vehicles facing the sun. Then, put thermometers inside. We put the Auto Cool together, which was pretty easy.
The Auto Cool goes inside the window, and weather strippng is cut and fitted to the rest of the window. The fan runs on solar power, you can actually see it moving. It's meant to push the hot air out through a small vent.
At the beginning of our test, both cars read 80-degrees inside. At the end of our test -- hours later... here's what we found. The car without the auto cool was 102 degrees. The car with the Auto Cool was 103 degrees. That's right, the car with Auto Cool was actually warmer.
We decided to try the test again. We put Auto Cool in a black SUV and let it sit all morning long. Three hours later, we checked the thermometer and it was a boiling, 108 degrees. Buffalo Fire Chief, Robert Stasio was there and said the product obviously did nothing. That is a concern to Chief Stasio, because a product like this could give someone a false impression of safety. They could leave a child unattended in the hot car ... and that he warns could be deadly. He says, "Never, ever leave a child in the car unattended, it is too hot, it could be deadly."
We called the makers of Auto Cool five times over the last week for their reaction to our test, they did not return our calls.
In both of our unscientific tests, the Auto Cool did not work and that is why we're giving it two thumbs down.
To watch Mary's Report, just click on the video link above.
