10 Tips to Help You Protect Your Car Against Bad Weather
There are many different forms of weather that can be damaging to your vehicle.
The main misconception that most people have when bad weather is around the corner is that not much can be done about the situation. Better than just sitting tight and hoping that your car, out in the rain, sleet or snow stays safe, we have a few tips that can you can easily implement before the weather comes, to protect your car against bad weather.
1. Check your battery on a regular basis.
Especially during those cold winter seasons, the battery can lose its power or actually freeze when the temperatures are low. The simple task of taking your car out for a drive every day, at least once a day can help prevent it from being immobile and not running properly when you need it.
2. Get your windshield wipers replaced.
Whether you are driving through snow, sleet, or a thunderstorm, visibility and a clear windshield is extremely important in any situation. If the rubber on the wipers are worn out or to properly replaced, then the effectiveness of their job will decrease with time and with weather. Another tip for a icy windshield: do NOT resort to warm water. Pouring a contrasting temperature on an already frozen glass windshield can actually bring damage to your car, causing cracks or breaking the windshield completely.
Also, watch your washer fluid. It is best if you can opt for the antifreeze fluid.
3. Mind your tires.
Not only should it be normal that you get winter or snow tires put on when it comes to the season, but just checking on your tire pressure regularly will help save you time and money in the long run. For instance, when it is cold outside, the tires tend to lose air and pressure because of the temperature.
Also, when it comes to tires, check your tire tread. When it comes to changing your tires for the snowy season, it should cover all four of them. If you think you are saving money in using a combination of winter and regular tires, you might actually lose the money flying an imbalance in traction.
4. Wax on, wax off.
When it comes to rain, an extra layer of waxy protection will protect your vehicle against a constant shower. This will protect your paint and also the metal of the car, preventing rust as best as possible. This is a great tip to take during the rainy seasons of the year, like April, or when you know a storm is coming, in which rain will be constant, giving the opportunity for rust to develop.
5. Car covers.
Breathable and waterproof car covers are best when you don’t have a garage or parking garage available. This is helpful in many forms of bad weather. For instance, since it is water proof, the rain and snow wont be able to reach or come in contact with your vehicle. If it is thick enough, it can protect your car from hail or harder natural elements. The cover can also help in instances of extreme heat. The breathable layer will allow the humidity escape, which otherwise could be damaging.
6. Mudguards can be a life saver.
Even though you might not have even heard of mudguards before, they are a very useful part of the car to put on when you are driving in a rural area or on roads that are not quite as paved as you could hope. Not only do they protect against mud from getting to your car, they can also protect against water damage. They create a rebounding barrier to keep the water out of the inside of your car, which could be damaging to your brakes and your wheels.
7. Oil is also a level you need to watch out for.
Not only do tire air pressure levels change, the engine oil also gets thicker when the temperature drops. You can actually do something about this threat by switching to thinner engine oil. The main point of oil is to lubricate your car`s engine, which it wont be able to do if it is too thick and moves slowly because of the cold temperatures.
8. Heat can also be an issue.
In instances of extreme heat, there are also several tips you can do to keep your car running smoothly and avoid hefty and expensive repairs. Waxing can also help your car repel dirt, debris, prevent water spots and the sun’s heat.
9. Getting a shield is the best protection.
When we are discussing the sun’s heat and harmful UV exposure, tinted windows and a windshield sunshade can help prevent the sun from harming the interior of your car. The shield blocks the steering wheel, center console, and dash. Not only does it protect all of these things, it also keeps the car cooler, which is a great additional benefit, especially if you have leather seats! The tinted windows will reduce glare and heat which is harmful, not only to your car, but it can be dangerous while driving as well.
10. Keep the windows slightly open.
Cracking open your windows slightly can help make the interior of your car manageable and survivable in those extreme heat circumstances. The small openings can help vent out the hot air that could possibly deteriorate and fade out your interior surfaces. Never in any circumstances, leave a child, infant or pet in a car on a hot day. This is extremely dangerous and can even be fatal, even if all these extra precautions have been taken.
Weather happens. Especially bad weather. These are a few simple and easy to maintain tips that you can complete to help keep your vehicle safe during these situations.
