Protect your car from the sun

South Africa receives sunshine throughout the year and just like your skin needs protection from the sun’s harmful rays, so does your car. The sun can damage your vehicle, resulting in faded, dull sections on the car’s paint job, cracked interior panels and leather, deflated tyres and insufficient water levels in the engine bay due to evaporation.

The sun can fade and crack the paint of your car, and waxing your vehicle adds extra layers of protection from the sun’s strong ultraviolet rays. Scratch & Dent insurance cover is a solution that covers your vehicle in the event of minor chips, scratches, dents and interior damage. It protects the exterior and interior of your car, keeps your car in showroom condition. 

Hot tar or heated pavements cause your tyres to lose air pressure and become under-inflated. This could cause a blow-out. 

The heat could also cause engine fluids to evaporate. Check your coolant and oil levels, water and brake fluid regularly to ensure your car is in good working order. Another effect of heat on a motor vehicle is a leaking petrol tank. This is caused by high temperatures in the fuel tank that creates air bubbles and overtime eventually cracking from too much pressure. In order to prevent multiple heat problems on your vehicle from the sun, it is advised to take these steps into consideration.

The best way to avoid sun directly shining on your car would be to simply park the vehicle in the shade or use a waterproof cover (which is more durable in harsh sunlight than a normal car cover). This prevents the interior as well as exterior from cracking and drying out. Another affordable way to prevent sun damage would be to use a windshield sun protector, as they keep the car cool and protect the interior which could cause your seats to fade and wear quicker. Installing seat covers can keep your seat cool and is an excellent way to protect the fabric or leather on your seats.

If you’re interested in protecting your vehicle further, you can apply interior trim and seat protectant but always test a small area first to ensure the chemicals won’t damage the car’s surfaces.