Ways to Protect your Vehicle from the Summer Heat
The summer time is great for cook outs, trips to the lake and all sorts of other great outdoor activities. Most people that get out in the summer sun take precautions like using sunscreen, drinking plenty of water, wearing protective clothing and sunglasses. Does it not make sense, to protect the vehicle, that takes you on your summer adventures, from the heat as well? Summer heat and bright sunshine can be very hard on a vehicle. There are a some things you can do to help safeguard against damage like dry rotted tires, and cracked, faded interiors:
- Under the hood. Check your fluids, especially the antifreeze. When antifreeze gets old enough, it can actually help oxidize your cooling system. This will eventually lead to coolant system failure and expensive repair costs.
-Another thing to be on the lookout for is cracked and worn hoses.
-Keep an eye on your brake fluid for signs of debris, if you see debris then you should change the fluid.
-Have your AC system checked by a licensed professional regularly to make sure the cool air keeps flowing.
- Tires. Summer sun and hot pavement are not a good combination for tires. Keep an eye out for small cracks, bubbles and uneven wear of the tread. If you spot any of these things, have your tires checked by a tire specialist.
- Interior. If you have leather interior, be sure to wipe it down frequently with a good leather conditioner. This will help protect the leather from cracking. You are not out of the woods if you do not have a leather interior. The cloth interior of a vehicle parked in direct sunlight can quickly fall victim to color fade. One easy, and cheap, thing you can do to help avoid this situation is by buying a windshield guard. These fit on the inside of the windshield and are generally held in place by the sun visors. Not only do these guards help prevent color fading and dashboard cracking, they also can help keep the interior of your vehicle noticeably cooler.
- Exterior. The hot summer sun can play havoc on the paint job of vehicle. The sunlight and heat can cause the paint to fade and even oxidize in spots like on the hood, trunk and roof. Park your vehicle in the shade as often as possible. It is understood that it is not always possible to park in the shade, therefore you can try a couple of things like covering it with a car cover, tarp or even a blanket.
Before you head out for some fun in the sun, make sure your vehicle is up to thetask. Once you know it is good shape, keep it that way with the above tips.
