Protect your car from the damaging effects of sun and heat

What are some simple tips to protect your car from the sun?

太阳和热量会对汽车造成很大的伤害. 在州立农场进行的测试中^® 车辆研究设施, interior air temperatures have been recorded well in excess of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Interior surfaces exposed to direct sunlight had recorded temperatures in excess of 195 degrees Fahrenheit.

But it's not just the dashboard and seats you need to guard from the sun's dangerous rays. 汽车的表面和引擎也处于危险之中. 所以无论你是否生活在全年气候温暖的地方, 或者只是在夏季需要保护, 做好安全准备永远是最好的.

汽车内部防护

• 在阴凉处停车. 这是最简单的保护方式. By avoiding direct sunlight, you'll help keep your dash from drying and cracking. 如果这样做安全的话, open the windows a crack to help lower the interior temperature and equalize the air pressure.
• 使用挡风玻璃遮阳器. It's a way to keep your car cool and prevent sun damage. 它们可能看起来使用起来很复杂, but these visors are actually quite easy to unfold and slide into place on your dash.
• 用超细纤维布擦拭仪表板. Dust and dirt can cause tiny scratches that can become worse over time. 经常擦拭仪表板以清除所有颗粒. A low-gloss detailing product will also protect it and reduce glare.
• 安装座套. They not only protect leather and fabric seats, but they also help keep them cool.
• 用护发素保护真皮座椅. 太阳和热量真的会对它们造成伤害. To help avoid cracks or tears, keep seats clean, and apply leather conditioner often.

汽车外观的提示

• 经常清洗和干燥. 日晒和高温会使油漆褪色并开裂. Frequent washing and hand drying help remove dirt and dust particles that can cause micro scratches and dull your car's finish.
• 给汽车打蜡. A layer of wax between your car's finish and the sun's ultraviolet rays is a great way to help protect it. 汽车多久需要打蜡一次? Answers vary based on the car, but it is generally best to wax cars on a regular basis.
• 检查胎压. Hot pavement and underinflated tires can be a dangerous combination, and may lead to a blowout. Even good tires can lose about one pound of air pressure a month, so it's really important to 检查胎压 通常天气热的时候. Make sure you follow your 车辆's manufacturer recommended tire pressure.

在引擎盖下

一个小 预防性汽车保养和简单保养 can keep you on the road and out of your mechanic's garage.

• 冷却系统. In order to help protect your engine from overheating, make sure it is in good working order. 皮带检查过了吗?防冻液/冷却液放干了吗. Change belts and fluids on a regular basis, as recommended by your 车辆's manufacturer.
• 一般来说是液体. The possibility of overheating greatly increases when fluid levels are below recommended levels. Regularly check motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid. If any need to be topped off, check your owner's manual about the types of fluids recommended.
• 电池. High temperatures and high accessory loads (use of the 车辆s air conditioning) can cause it to wear out and fail quicker. 有 车辆's battery and complete charging system checked regularly by a professional mechanic to make sure it's functioning properly.
• 空调. 如果你的车内部温度不够低, the refrigerant charge level in the air conditioning system may be low or t在这里 may be a more serious problem. 请专业人士检查一下.

Be sure to stay cool and safe no matter how hot it gets.