When you are going out for a day on the town or just on your regular commute to work, remember to take care of your car in the desert heat. By following some of the tips below you can possibly save some money on new paint jobs, and save yourself from the blazing Texas sun.
Exterior
There are ways to take care of the exterior of your car in the hammering sunlight. The easiest way to keep your car’s paint looking as new as possible is to simply keep it clean. By washing your car and removing the dirt and dust, you will let the protective top coat of the paint do its job and block out UV rays from the sun. Another way to reduce damage caused by the sun’s UV rays is to wax your car regularly. If you apply high-quality waxes, your car will have a thicker protective coat against the elements.
Interior
One of the simplest ways to keep your car’s interior from fading due to direct sunlight is to buy a sun shade. Sun shades will block sunlight from coming in through the windshield and will protect the front interior of your car. If you tint the rest of the car windows you will be able to block out the sun all the way throughout the car. By shielding your car from UV rays you will save the car’s interior from fading, and from excessive heat causing the dash and other plastics to crack.
Temporary Fixes
If you are looking for a way to get out of the Texas sun and don’t have a sun shade or tinted windows, you can always look for a parking spot in the shade. You should crack your windows as well to help release some of the hot air in your vehicle. The excessive heat that builds up in your car with the windows up can actually cause your touchscreen to malfunction, and other electrical devices to stop working. It can also cause the plastic areas to sag if they stay exposed for extended periods of time.
Long-Term Parking
When you park your car for an extended amount of time, whether it’s for weeks or months, you will need to pay extra attention that your vehicle has what it needs to go undamaged. To best protect against the heat, investing in a car cover would be the most practical choice. This way the car’s paint won’t fade while you’re gone.
These tips can save money for you in the long run, and provide comfort by lessening the heat levels in your car. By shielding your car from harmful UV rays you will extend the life of your car’s paint job. The interior will also be protected from the excess heat, which will help prevent damage to the dashboard and electronics in the car. Just because you live in the desert doesn’t mean your vehicle’s paint and interior should look like they belong in a Mad Max film.
This photo, “Morris Minor 1000,” by Patrick Cain used under CC BY 2.o. “Morris Minor 1000” is licensed under CC BY 2.0 by Gay Family Kia.
Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.