Hey, the weather is from hell these days, almost literally. With temperatures over 100 for days at a time, I’d like to take a quick second to remind everyone to be careful out there. We have changed the Pro Auto Spas hours from 9a-6p to 7a-4p to take advantage of the cooler morning temps. In the meantime, stay hydrated. Stay in the shade, if possible. Don’t go running if it looks like this out there!
Everyone knows how miserable it is to get in a hot car, but did you know extreme heat and sun can actually damage your car? Sun protection is important to keep your vehicle in top shape. Here are some suggestions.
Interior protection: Park in the shade (duh!) Avoiding direct sunlight will help keep your dash from drying and cracking. If it’s safe to do so, crack the windows to lower interior temperatures and equalize air pressure. Use a windshield sun protector: It’s a way to keep the car cooler and prevent sun damage. Clean the dash frequently with a microfiber cloth: dust and dirt cause tiny scratches that become worse over time and exposure. Wipe down your dash frequently and use a low-gloss detailing spray or protectant. We can recommend one based on the age and condition of the dash. Seat covers: these protect leather and fabric seats, but also help keep them cooler. Last up, protect your leather seats with a good conditioner. The sun and heat really do a number on leather, but if you keep them conditioned (Adam’s leather conditioner, it smells heavenly!) and protected (Ceramic coating, just like the rest of the interior) they can survive the summer!
Exterior protections: Wash and dry often. To me, this sounds weird, but it turns out that the sun and heat can fade and crack the paint. Frequent washing and hand drying help remove dirt and dust particles that can cause micro-scratches and dull your car’s finish. Also, ceramic coat your car. A layer of ceramic between your paint and the sun’s UV rays is the best start to keeping your paint looking great.
For a few other things to keep in mind, check your tire pressure frequently, make sure you have coolant and that your system is in good working order, and keep ALL your fluids up to date (oil, transmission, power steering, and brake, and refrigerant for your a/c system.)
Stay cool, stay safe.