No matter what anyone tells you, you know the truth – cars do have a soul! After all, you’ve seen it with yours time and time again. And it’s only fair to try and provide adequate maintenance to your faithful companion. So, when a storm hits out of the blue, with its rain, snow, hail, wind… your car is probably not much of a fan!
Luckily, there are ways to protect you car and increase its life expectancy. For how long, it depends on you. Regular car maintenance is very important, and it truly pays of – regardless of whether you’re keeping or selling the car. Always be aware of the car depreciation – the difference between a car’s value when you buy it and when you come to sell it. The car’s depreciation rate is certainly affected by different weather conditions.
This article will focus on specific actions you can take to protect your car from the damage caused by weather conditions, and hopefully provide some useful info.
Most Common Car Damage Caused by Weather Conditions
Different weather conditions, but also UV rays, exhaust contaminants, salt residue from winter roads, tree sap and bird droppings are the most common external factors that affect your car on a daily basis. They can cause scratches, dents, paint dullness, etc. During extreme weather conditions your car can’t come into the house with you and depends solely on the mercy of the Weather God(s).
Impact of Low Temperatures on Your Car and How to Protect It
Winter is coming! And your car can be affected by cold much faster than you, even if it’s parked in the garage. Low temperatures affect vehicles negatively in many ways:
- Rubber components like wipers, vital belts and hoses around the engine deteriorate
- Fluids thicken (like oil, antifreeze, power steering, washer solvent, brake and transmission fluids)
Heaters delay engine warm-up, so the engine struggles - Windshields are more vulnerable to damage
- Vehicle’s battery can die
- Tire pressure fluctuates
- Spark plug reliability weakens
- Heavy rain or hail may cause serious dents on your car’s external surface
- Metal parts (brakes, wheel wells) corrode because of the salt on the roads. Increased humidity, windy and rainy sites also contribute to the development of rust.
Simple steps you can take to prepare for winter conditions properly:
- Keep your vehicle in subzero conditions – preferably in a garage. If not, check your vehicle’s battery before the cold arrives. A typical battery is most comfortable between 30 and 90 F, anything below that may give you trouble.
- Check your vehicle’s tire pressure – most tires lose 1 pound per square inch for every 10 F of temperature drop.
- Clean the windshield before turning on wipers, because the blades can get torn and the wiper transmissions can break.
- Check your vehicle’s filters to prevent potential clogging.
- Prevent rusting by applying different corrosion treatment methods.
Impact of High Temperatures on Your Car and How to Protect It
Likewise, heat can also wreak havoc on your vehicle. Summer is the most-travelled season, but our cars are certainly not very enthusiastic about it! High temperatures take their toll on the car by weakening its following parts:
- Tires – especially if not properly inflated
- Battery –its suspended plates become loose and rub against each other
- Coolant may leak, engine temperature rises and the cooler eventually breaks down
- A/C system – may weaken greatly and completely stop working
- The paint fades
The sun and heat can seriously damage your car. Here are a few simple tips on protecting your car from the heat:
- Park in the shade
- Install seat covers and use a conditioner to protect leather seats
- Often wash and dry the exterior
- Wax your car
- Check tire pressure
- Check battery, cooling system and the rest of the fluids
Make Your Car Look Shiny and New
Besides regular check up of engine, tires, and mechanic; paint protection is a very important aspect of looking after your car. There are different types of car paint protection. Car waxing provides a protective layer to the paint, while paint sealants mimic the properties of car waxes. Sealants are longer lasting, but do not provide in-depth shine like wax does. differs from both waxes and sealants. This is a unique hard wearing, ceramic clear coat which offers remarkable resistance to scratching and protects the surface from environmental factors. Your car will get a complete wash, polishing and will be coated with a special multi-layer system. After applying this Detail Evolution’s super-coat your car will look like fresh from the factory.
Detail Evolution doesn’t stop there. CouplerTec’s electronic rust system interferes with the electrical charge between iron and oxygen making it difficult for these elements to form rust. To provide your car with an ultimate detailing service, Detail Evolution correction services rely on top of the range products and procedures.
Always try not to neglect your car, your faithful Rocinante; it’s the least you can do! Regular maintenance and makeup according to environmental conditions will ensure its smooth operation and longer life.
