Many things have the potential to damage your vehicle in different ways, but most people don’t see the sun as one of them. It causes overheating issues and does paint damage, among other things. Take a look at this listing of methods you can use to protect your vehicle from the sun’s harmful rays.
Avoid Exposure
The best way to be certain your vehicle is protected from the sun is to take it out of direct sunlight. Park in the shade or inside of enclosed areas like garages or parking decks whenever possible. This will protect both the inside and outside of your vehicle from sun damage. If you can’t find a shady or covered spot, use a full-sized vehicle cover to block or reflect the sun’s rays.
Use Interior Covers
Windshield sun protectors and seat covers can be used to prevent sun damage to leather or other surfaces inside of your vehicle. Sun protectors are great for avoiding high temperatures inside your vehicle’s cabin. Seat covers do the same, but cannot cover console and armrest surfaces that may be vulnerable to sunlight. Using both items is best since sun protectors tend to cover the windshields fore and aft, but not the side windows.
Keep the Exterior Clean and Waxed
Solar exposure wreaks havoc on a good paint job. Help prevent this by keeping it clean and treated. As the sun fades and micro-cracks vehicle paint, dirt on the surface of the paint can get into the cracks and make them worse. Removing dirt and dust regularly prevents this and extends the life of your paint job. Waxing protects paint jobs from ultraviolet rays.
Keep an eye on the reviews of different wax brands and go with the ones that do the best job. The higher the quality of the waxing product, the longer it will do its job. It is recommended that you wax your vehicle at least once every three weeks, or more often if it often encounters conditions that could damage the finish.
Keep an Eye on Your Tires
When people think of tire blowouts, they tend to imagine potholes, nails, or other debris doing direct damage to the tire, but the sun can have the same effect. Make sure your tire pressure remains ideal according to your user manual or the instructions concerning your tires if they aren’t the ones your vehicle came with. A combination of hot asphalt and low tire pressure can cause a blowout as easily as running over something sharp.
Treat Your Seats and Dashboards
Like exterior paint, your seats and dashboards can be faded or otherwise damaged by sunlight. Get your hands on products like leather conditioner, wood polish, auto cleaner for plastics, upholstery cleaner for cloth seats, and carpet shampoo for floor carpet and carpeted floor mats. This may seem like a lot, but you’ll love the results if you put in the effort to care for your vehicle’s interior. All of these materials last longer when appropriately treated.
Take to heart these tips for protecting your vehicle from sunlight. The alternative is expensive. For other tips on how to keep your vehicle in top shape, head over to Earnhardt Ford in Chandler, Arizona. Take a look at their expansive inventory while you’re in the area.
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