Andrew
- PARK your car in the shade. Your car will stay up to 20 degrees cooler and the physical barrier can block the UV rays by 100 percent.
- Wash and dry your car as often as you can. Doing that will get rid of minerals, debris and dead bugs on the outside of your car.
If left there, the dirt and debris can react with the heat from sun and cause your paint to fade.
Dead bugs can also undergo bacterial decomposition and release acids that can damage the surface of your car. Make sure you use shampoo that is specifically formulated for cars. Hand-dry your car with a soft microfiber cloth.
- Wax your car. This will help lock in the natural oils in your paint and give added protected from the harmful effects of the sun.
- Spray the upholstery, steering wheel and dashboard with products. There are certain products, like vinyl or leather protectants, that can provide an additional protective layer.
- Get paint protection film. It is an invisible film that slows down your car’s skin aging and protects your car from minor scratches, small dents, dust and grim.
It helps maintain the exterior of your car for an extended period of time, and can extend the value of your car.
- Check your tire pressure regularly. Tires are more likely to blow out in the summer because of increased heat and temperature. You should have your tires checked before summer and once a month throughout the season.
- Get your windows tinted. Tint blocks thermal rays, which let sunlight pass heat. It can block up to 70 percent of heat from entering the interior of your car. Make sure to check local laws to see how much tinting you can put on your windows.
- Leave your windows cracked. If you leave them open a small amount, fresh air will circulate inside. This will help reduce the temperature inside your car and the heat on your upholstery, steering wheel and dash.
- If your AC is not keeping you cool enough, have it checked. There could be an issue with the refrigerant charge level or compressor, or there could be low gas levels. Whatever the problem is, it needs to be fixed before it stops working completely.
- Have your battery checked with every oil change. Batteries can experience pressure in the summer due to overheating and overcharging.
- Check your air filter. There is usually more dirt and debris in the air when the weather is warmer. Accumulated dirt and debris rub on the metal parts of the engine, causing those parts to wear away.
A dirty air filter also affects your mileage, because engines need a proper ratio of air and fuel to perform properly.
- Keep an eye on your car’s fluid levels. Liquids evaporate faster in the heat, and your car is more likely to overheat when your fluid levels are below recommended levels. Regularly check your transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid and motor oil. — Wires
Online Reporter