And as you step into your vehicle... Ouch!

The black leather that appeared so stylish now burns your and your passengers' backsides.

Children and adults alike do not want to buckle half-molten safety belts or sit in a seat that will give them a sunburn before they are in the sun.


But smart devices can help cool down cars before drivers get behind the wheel.

Remote-start technologies, which allow drivers to start their cars' heating or cooling systems from a distance, have existed for nearly two decades.

Users push a button on their key fobs, turning on their vehicles' engines and climate control systems via remote control. With a remote-start device, drivers never touch sunbaked steering wheels, even when temperatures soar above 90 degrees.

One company, Directed Electronics, won a Best of Innovations award at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show for its Responder LE 2-Way security and remote-start system.

So, how did a remote control win an innovation award?

The remote-start system boasts some unexpected features. For example, "TempCheck" allows users to see their vehicles' interior temperatures using LEDs on the remotes.

A stack of five illuminated LEDs tells drivers that their cars are too hot, so they know when to turn on their air conditioning with their remote control.

Another useful feature, "Remote Start Reset," gives notification when the remote cycle will expire, turning off the air conditioner. When they get the alert on their key fob, drivers can check their car temperature. If the vehicle's still too warm, they can reset the remote start back to the beginning of its cycle.

The Responder LE 2-Way security and remote start system is available from Viper, Python and Clifford brands.

Having remote control air conditioning is as easy as picking up the phone and calling (800) 274-0200 to be connected to a local Directed Electronics retailer. More information about remote start, including Responder LE and the pink Responder LE Special Edition, is also available at www.viper.com.