The longevity and overall look of a car will depend largely on the owner and what he or she does to keep it in top shape. There are really a lot of aspects to proper car maintenance, ranging from regular checkups to the overall driving style of the owner.
Today we are here to talk about what you can do to keep your car safe from the elements. Cars are meant to be exposed to various weather conditions and while getting caught in the rain won’t immediately damage your car, long-term exposure will most certainly damage it and lower its value.
Let’s talk about what you can do to mitigate the damage from this kind of exposure without breaking the bank.
- Wash your car regularly
This is a basic thing you should be doing anyway. Still, just hosing your car down haphazardly will not have the desired effect. When washing your car, make sure that you first remove it from direct sunlight. Next comes the hose down to remove any superficial dirt and grime that might have built up since the last time you washed it.
For those persistently dirty parts, you might want to use a clay bar, just remember to hose the car again once you are done to remove any excess. Finally, it’s time to dry your vehicle with a microfiber cloth – don’t air dry your car, since that can cause water spots to develop.
- Wax on
There are few things out there that can protect your car from dirt and water like wax. It takes some time to wax a car but trust us, it’s worth it. Having wax protection on helps keep the car’s exterior clean and protects the paint job.
- Avoid leaving your car in direct sunlight
Don’t take this as an imperative but as an added precaution when possible. Sure, if you are in a hurry and need to leave your car in the sun because you have no choice – do it.
Still, doing this often and over long periods of time will make your car’s paint fade and in extreme cases damage it permanently. Avoid the scorching sun when parking your car so you don’t have to dish out cash to repaint it.
- Use a car cover
Regardless of whether you are leaving your car on the street, in your garage, your driveway – use a car cover. They are not a big investment, they fit neatly in the trunk of your car and you can take them anywhere with you.
It takes you only a couple of minutes to cover up your car and this protects it from the weather, passing vehicles, pedestrians, birds, dogs, and, in some situations, even theft.
- Check your car’s exterior regularly
The biggest problem when we talk about cars and the elements is rust. If caught early, rust can be an easy repair that costs very little but if you let it spread (and it will spread) it can get your car into a state that is beyond repair.
Regularly checking your car’s exterior can help you find rust early and deal with it before it bites in too badly. Yes, this means check under the car as well.
- Car storage
Having a garage is a must when it comes to protecting your vehicle from the elements. If you don’t have one, you might want to find metal carports for sale since they are an inexpensive way of replacing a garage. Not all weather conditions will damage your car gradually over time – hail will damage your car very directly if you don’t put a roof over it.
We want to leave you with one general piece of advice at the end of this article. Keep track of the weather forecast before you drive out, especially if it’s going to be a long drive. Sometimes catching public transport or a cab in bad weather can protect your car from unnecessary damage.
Common sense goes a long way. The weather doesn’t have to damage your car directly. Strong winds, for example, throw debris onto your car and damage indirectly. We hope that we’ve been able to help you out.
