You know that you need sunscreen to protect you from the sun to prevent a bad sunburn on your body. However, as you can imagine, UV rays are not only bad for you and can be bad for everything else. For example, your vehicles can be damaged by the sun. Fortunately, it is possible to interfere with the rays that your car is exposed to, similar to the cream you apply on your body.
What causes sunburn in a car?
The sun can damage the appearance of your vehicle by oxidizing the paint. This is the reason for sunburns seen in vehicles. It can also dry out and wear down interiors, especially if they’re made of leather. Likewise, this heat from sunlight can even affect your cooling system, fluids, battery and air conditioner. Because these issues can range from being purely image-based to actually affecting your safety, it’s important to reduce the sun’s impact on your vehicle in several ways.
You should make sure your vehicle is in good working order, have the belts checked, and drain your antifreeze or coolant regularly, State Farm says. Overheating is more likely when your fluid levels drop below the recommendations, so it’s a good idea to regularly check your engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid as well.
High temperatures and the use of high additional loads such as air conditioning can also affect your battery, so they need to be checked regularly. If the air conditioner is not working, it should be checked as this could be a sign of a more serious problem. And finally, don’t forget to adjust the tire pressure. Hot asphalt is particularly dangerous for under-inflated tires and can cause a burst.
The safety and function of your vehicle is certainly more important than its aesthetics, but that doesn’t mean the look and comfort of one of your most expensive purchases isn’t important either. But what can you do to protect the inside and outside of your vehicle from the effects of the sun?
How can you protect your car from the sun?
- Park in the shade to prevent your windshield from drying out and cracking, and if it’s safe to do so where you park, leave a window slightly open to allow some airflow.
- Use a windshield sunshade to keep the interior cooler and protect your windshield even more.
- Wipe your dashboard with a microfiber cloth, as dirt can cause further scratches and when you open the windows for cooling, more dust and dirt will inevitably get inside. Also look for detailing products that can further protect your line.
- Use seat covers to protect and cool seats, or consider a product that protects leather seats from the sun.
- Wash and dry the car often, as the sun and heat can fade and crack the paintwork, which will be made worse by scratching dirt and dust.
- Polish your car to provide a layer of protection between the coating and UV rays. Precautions such as paint protection will prevent sunburn on your vehicle’s hood.
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