Summer - Sun Protection

Sun Protection Tips for Your Car from Serra Honda Grandville

            

As you may know, the sun's rays can have a damaging effect on many surfaces including your vehicle! When the hot sun is beating down during the summer months, your car's interior and exterior can suffer from UV damage. But how do you protect these components from increased wear and damage? Simply follow these sun protection tips for your vehicle including its internal components, fluids, interior surfaces, and exterior surfaces. These sun protection tips from Serra Honda Grandville will help to extend the life of your car, truck, SUV, or crossover, and will keep it looking good for seasons to come.

• Regularly Wash and Wax: A buildup of dirt and debris on the exterior of your car can cause tiny scratches on your car's protective clear coat. However, washing your vehicle regularly will remove the dirt from your car's exterior so it looks good and lasts longer. Although washing your vehicle is great on its own, it's even more beneficial when paired with a wax for further protection. Auto wax seals the paint, protects against damaging UV rays, and keeps dirt from sticking to your vehicle.
• Use a Sunshade: Sunshades used in the front and rear windshield of your vehicle are an inexpensive way to help keep your car cool while blocking the UV rays from damaging your car's interior surfaces.
• Cover Your Car: To completely protect your vehicle from the sun's damaging UV rays, utilize a full cover for your vehicle. This will not only protect your vehicle from the sun, but also from all damaging weather conditions. If you must leave your vehicle parked outdoors for an extended period of time, we recommend looking into this option. Day-to-day, it's always best to park in the shade - in a garage, carport, or under a tree.

Protect Your Vehicle from the Sun as Part of Your Summer Car Care Routine

Remember that the temperature under the hood of your vehicle will always be high after your vehicle has been in use. However, when the outside temperature increases during the summer months, the temperature under your hood can rise even higher. Since the higher temperature can cause quicker wear on your vehicle's components, keeping your vehicle's fluids and components maintained becomes even more important. Below, we've outlined some of the key components that should be considered during your summer car care.

• Coolant - Coolant regulates your engine's temperature, so a lack of coolant can result in your engine overheating which can cause extensive damage to your vehicle internally.
• Oil - Your vehicle's oil is one of the most important fluids that facilitates the proper function of your vehicle. When you avoid routine oil changes, the level and health of your vehicle's oil decreases significantly and can result in costly damage to your car, truck, or SUV.
• Brake Fluid - Brake fluid has a specific boiling point and when the outside temperature increases in the summer months, the excessive heat can affect the performance of your brake fluid. You may notice a 'softer' brake pedal during the summer months due to the heat, however, do not confuse this with a brake pedal that is not functioning properly. If you suspect any issues, bring your vehicle in for an inspection right away.
• Belts & Hoses - Summer's high temperatures can also cause an increased wear on your vehicle's belts and hoses, which all play important roles in making your vehicle run. A broken hose or belt can result in a serious fluid leak, or can even prevent your car from running at all. A routine belt and hose inspection will ensure your vehicle's components are healthy and ready to keep you safe.
• Tires - During the summer months, the temperature of the pavement increases and therefore increases friction on your tires. This can wear down the tread on your tires more quickly. However, by performing routine tire rotations and air pressure checks, you can enjoy the longest life out of your vehicle's tires.

Inspecting your fluids, belts, hoses, and tires on a routine basis is a simple task that can have a significant impact on the long-term health of your vehicle. Scheduling these routine inspections and maintenance throughout the year is important, but even more so during the summer when the weather can take a toll on these components. At Serra Honda Grandville we want to make sure your vehicle is safe for you to drive on all your summer adventures and road trips. If you have any questions or concerns about the maintenance of these fluids and components, don't hesitate to contact us at (616) 449-1819.