Few places in the world get hotter than Texas, and if you live there, it’s something that’s a fact of your life. However, dealing with the heat as a human being is very different from your possessions and property existing in the heat. Not only do large items of property, such as your house or your car, have to deal with the usual wear and tear of existing, but they also respond differently to the heat.
In particular, there are many ways in which your car can be damaged by the heat, and if you want your car to be a bit of property that you own for many years, you should strongly consider looking into how to protect your car from the damaging effects of the sun.
Car Damage Caused by the Sun
There’s no denying the fact that protecting your car from the sun is one of the best ways to keep it looking good and working well. Excessive heat and sun can crack your paint and fade your seats, not to mention it can make it very difficult for your car to run properly (which can be a safety hazard). You may also find that your car’s interior leatherwork starts to crack and fade as well.
But there are many simple ways you can try to keep your car in good working order for many years.
Install Seat Covers
Seat covers will not only work to protect seats that are made of fabric and leather, but they can also help to keep the underlying seats cooler with the addition of the cover.
Choose Shady Parking Spots
For clarity, we mean shady as in “with lots of shade,” rather than “dangerous.” This is a very helpful one that can help prevent your car from being damaged by the sun and the heat. If your care isn’t in the sun, it will take it much longer to be damaged by the sun, so as long as you keep it out of direct sunlight, you’ll be saving yourself a lot of time, energy, and repair money down the road.
Additionally, if you’re in a safe neighborhood, you can also crack the windows a bit to keep the temperature of your car from getting hotter than the outdoors.
Wash, Dry, and Wax Your Car
Especially if we’re talking about protecting the exterior of your car, doing these tasks on a relatively consistent basis is a great idea and a wonderful way to keep your car looking great for many years. Washing and drying your car should be done as often as possible (up to once a week if you can manage it), whereas waxing your car can be done 4-8 times a year. Wax also counts as another layer of protection between your car and the sun’s UV rays, which is very beneficial.
If you don’t have the time, skills, or energy to do this maintenance, take your car to a car wash and have them detail it for you. It’ll cost you money, but it’ll also prevent you from spending additional money down the road.
Consider Tint
Window tinting is a great way to keep your car cooler in the summer months. There are many options for window tinting in Fort Worth, TX, and you can easily find a reputable servicer who will be able to tint your windows for you.
With window tint, the darker tint that you add to your windows will prevent more of the sun’s harsh rays from hitting you and the inside of your car, meaning that it’ll last longer even if it’s stuck in direct sunlight.
If you’re in traffic a lot or if you’re frequently driving toward the sun, window tint can not only keep your car from getting warm inside, but it can also save your seats and save your eyes from the rays.
Internal Maintenance
This is a large one and one that is also very important. The heat doesn’t only affect the aesthetic parts of your car (seats, steering wheel, dash, etc.), but it can also have a negative effect on the internal parts of your car that help it to run.
You will definitely want to:
Check the Cooling System
The cooling system of your car is the piece that keeps your engine from overheating. As such, it’s in your best interest to ensure that it’s working well and that it has working belts and proper fluid as per its needs. If you’re not sure what those needs are, contact the manufacturer.
Fluids
There are more fluids than just those that work within the cooling system. Check your power steering fluid, brake fluid, motor oil, transmission fluid, and even your windshield wiper fluid. The heat can sap these elements of your car, and the lower these fluid levels are, the more prone your car is to overheat. Again, if you’re not sure what fluid should go where and why contact your manufacturer.
Tires
Heat can lower your tire pressure, so double-check that your tires are inflated the right amount before you hop in your car and zoom away.
Whether you’re looking into window tinting or any of the other preventative items in this article, it’s best practices to ensure that your car is in good working order and that it will stay so for a long while for your health and wellness.
