Buying a car is a huge purchase, and because of that, you want to make sure that you can enjoy it for as long as possible. Although the average lifespan of a car is 12 years, you can shorten that if you don’t take proper care of your vehicle.
Keeping your car safe from the elements is one thing you can do to ensure your car lives a long and happy life. But how can you go about protecting it?
Keep reading to learn about eight things you can do to protect your car from the elements.
1. Wash Your Car Often
If you lead a busy life, taking time out of your schedule to go to the car wash can seem unappealing. Yet regardless of what sort of climate you live in, you must find the time to wash your car.
When you don’t wash your car for a long time, it allows particles to stick to your vehicle. Dust, pollen, bugs, and several other particles can all stick to your car and cause damage. If you live in a region that experiences winter, salt can seriously affect your car. If you don’t wash it off, it can corrode your car.
Auto experts recommend going to the car wash once a week. If that’s unrealistic, try to go as much as possible.
2. Park Indoors When Possible
Parking indoors in both the summer and the winter is an important part of maintaining the wellbeing of your car.
When you park inside, you keep your car protected against different types of precipitation. Rain, snow, sleet, and hail can also damage your vehicle and exasperate existing problems. You also won’t have to worry about the wind causing particles to fall on your vehicle.
Parking inside also means that you won’t have to bundle up as much to make it out to your car!
3. Cover Your Vehicle
For one reason or another, you may be unable to park your cars indoors. If that’s the case, considering investing in a cover to protect your car.
Although it’s not a replacement for a garage, a cover will keep precipitation and other types of weather from damaging your car. It’ll also make your life easier, keeping you from having to remove snow from your windshield. A cover can also keep your car safe from sun damage.
A metal shed storage option can be an affordable and effective way to keep your car safe.
4. Replace Your Windshield Wipers
Most people don’t realize that they need a new pair of windshield wipers until it’s too late. Yet in the middle of a rain or snowstorm, you don’t want to realize that your wipers have broken.
Make sure that you check the condition of your windshield wipers before winter rolls around. Looks for signs of wear and tear, and also for any parts that feel looser than they should be. Most auto experts recommend that regardless of their state, you should upgrade them every six months.
5. Switch to Thinner Fluids
Cold weather can also impact the effectiveness of the fluids that your car uses to run. Taking precautions and switching them out can help prevent problems from developing down the road.
Consider getting washer fluid that has antifreeze in it. That will ensure that you can use it without a problem. Car oil also thickens in the cold, so by using a thinner oil, you’ll help keep your battery in top shape.
6. Wax Your Car
Many people know the importance of visiting the car wash but never get around to waxing a car. However, waxing your car is also an essential step in protecting your car.
Aside from giving your car a new, shiny look, waxing also adds an extra layer of protection. When you wax your car, it limits the damage that particles such as salt, pollution, and bird droppings can do. It can also help improve your car’s protection against scratches.
7. Understand What the Sun Can Do
Although we rely on it for life and warmth, too much sun exposure can be deadly to many things in life, including your car.
The heat from the sun’s rays can cause the paint on your car to crack and fade. Your car’s fender and bumper can also fade from too much sun exposure. Schedule a trip to the car wash and wax your car often to limit the damage your car receives. You should also try to cover your vehicle or park indoors.
8. Get Winter Tires
Winter roads are unpredictable, which makes them dangerous to drive on. Roads can look fine but can have black ice and other invisible dangers. Getting winter tires will help you navigate the perils of wintertime driving without worry.
Manufacturers design winter tires to handle ice, snow, and cold. Unlike regular tires, they perform well in rough weather. They provide better traction and are also more durable. Contrary to popular belief, you can upgrade to winter tires for a cheap price. Depending on where you live, it could be a worthwhile investment.
Protect Your Car With These Tips
When you own a car, you want to make sure that you do everything in your power to keep it safe from damage. It’s important to protect your car from different elements, and by following this guide and these eight tips, you’ll know everything you need to keep it safe.
Do you have any other tips on how to protect your car? Make sure to let us know.
If you found this article to be useful, don’t forget to take a look at some of our other blog posts to read more guides and tips.