We all love the sun, it gives us light and warmth and brightens up our days, but there can also be too much of a good thing! Sunlight can be harmful and even dangerous as the powerful noonday rays hit the ground, baking and scorching surfaces like the roof of your car until just touching it can give you a nasty burn, and turning the inside into an oven! The interior temperature can go as high as 62°C and the exterior temperature can reach upwards of 93°C when your car is exposed to the sun for long periods of time. It’s important to take steps to keep your car and its passengers safe from too much exposure to the sun’s cruelty. Here are a few simple tips on how to prevent the sun from damaging your car:
• Sun Shades – The windows are the place the sun has a chance to reach inside your car’s interior and do some damage, blistering your upholstery and dashboard, and making it too hot for you and your passengers to get comfortable in. The best way to prevent this unhappy situation is to clip on some handy sun shades for cars that will keep the light and heat outside so you can relax in a nice cool interior. Not only will they save your upholstery, they will save you cash on your fuel bill since the air conditioner won’t have to work as hard!
• Car Wash – If you wash and dry your car often it will rid the exposed exterior of the minerals, debris, dust, and dead insects that become stuck to it over time. All of those unwanted substances can react with high heat to make your paint chip and peel! The insects in particular can cause a lot of damage because the heat makes them release acids that literally melt paint away. The best course of action is to plan to do a carwash every other week using a car shampoo specifically designed to cleanse a car’s surface, give it a thorough rinsing, then hand dry the car with a soft microfibre towel. Click here for car transportation tips.
• Clean Dashboard – Your car’s dashboard is an important part of your car’s ability to function because it houses and protects all of the instruments necessary for driving such as your speedometer, signal indicators, and fuel gauge. It’s also the first thing the sun hits as it blazes through your windshield which can cause cracks and deformities in the exposed surface. A sun shade is recommended for when the car is parked, but one of the best ways to protect the dash is simply to keep it clean, the same as your car’s exterior. Dust and debris can cause scratches that the heat can take advantage of to form cracks. Clean your dashboard regularly, and also apply a protective spray that can help shield it from the worst the sun can dish out.
The sun can be hazardous to both a car and its driver, be sure to check the Australian Government’s Sun Safety Guidelines to keep yourself safe. We hope these tips help you enjoy a nice cool ride!