Simple Ways to Protect Your Car From Sun Damage

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Car windshield sun shade screen heat sun protect purchase buy type explained — Windshield sun shades are an affordable investment to keep your dashboard in great shape
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During summer, it’s common to step up your sunscreen application to prevent skin damage when you’re spending more time outdoors. It’s easy to forget that vehicles need a bit of extra protection from UV rays, as well. Here are some simple ways to shield your vehicle from sun damage so that it ages more gracefully.

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Exterior

Use a protective wax on your car at least twice a year. This coating helps seal in the natural oils contained in the exterior paint while serving as a buffer to help minimize sun damage and scratches.

A paint protection film is another great way to give your vehicle’s paint coat a longer shelf life. These are available in the form of do-it-yourself kits from local auto repair shops as well as online retailers. Though, you can also ask your local dealership’s service department if they perform this service if you want to save yourself some time and trouble.

car care paint clear coat wax protect — Waxing is an economical way to preserve a car’s paint coat
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Interior

Park in the shade, whenever possible, to minimize the amount of direct sunlight that your dashboard is exposed to. This will prevent this surface from drying and cracking.

You can also invest in a windshield sun protector to preserve the dashboard’s condition and help keep the cabin a bit cooler when driving in warm weather. At the time of writing, you can buy this one from Amazon for just $12.90.

Internal components

oil change service maintenance — Check fluid levels, including the oil, to make sure your car stays hydrated

Make sure to frequently check fluid levels. Cars tend to use up the coolant, transmission fluid, and oil faster when it’s hot outside.

Inspect the air filters if it’s been a while since you last replaced them. These parts often clog more quickly in warmer weather since there’s more dust, pollen, and debris circulating in the air during this season.

Lastly, give the air conditioning system a checkup to ensure that it’s functioning properly. If your vehicle’s AC seems to be dying, it could indicate that the refrigerant charge level in the system is too low.

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Whitney Russell

Whitney Russell resides in Dayton, though her spirit can be found beach-bumming in Puerto Rico (the land of her half-Puerto Rican heritage). When not crafting car-related content, she can be found chasing after the most amazing toddler in the world, watching her “beaver” of a husband build amazing woodworking projects, hanging out with two crazy dogs, and visiting family and friends. She also enjoys traveling, crafting, and binge-watching period dramas when time allows. See more articles by Whitney.