Many of us love the vehicles we drive. We get routine oil changes, take care of maintenance, and ensure our rides are working at their best. In addition, it’s also important to protect your car even while you aren’t driving. Many of us don’t have the luxury of a garage—forcing us to park our beloved vehicles outdoors. While this isn’t ideal, it’s still possible to maintain your car while it’s sitting outside.
In this post, we’ll talk about some useful tips for protecting your car while it’s parked outdoors. You’ll also learn about the challenges of protecting your vehicle, the long-term effects of parking outside, and where you can find the perfect solution for this problem.
Importance of Protecting Your Car that Sits Outside
The elements can take a serious toll on your vehicle. While this is inevitable on the road, there are ways to protect your ride at home. Now why is this so important? Can the outdoor elements really hurt my vehicle? Even though cars are accustomed to being outdoors, it doesn’t mean there aren’t consequences. Vehicles left outside lose their value faster than cars sitting in a garage. Prolonged sun exposure harms your car’s paint, seats, and dash. While this drops the vehicle’s value, its condition can also suffer. A car that consistently sits outside is exposed to several harmful elements, which include:
- Rain
- Hail
- Snow
- Ice
- Wind
- Dust
- High temperatures
- Bird droppings
- Tree sap
- Road salt
- Direct sunlight
From harsh weather conditions to animal droppings, many things can impact the condition of your ride. Make sure to keep it protected as best you can!
Challenges of Protecting a Car without a Garage
Unfortunately, keeping a vehicle clean and protected isn’t easy for any car owner. This is especially true in areas with extreme weather, or in places with several birds and trees. Whatever the case may be, finding protection can be a steep mountain to climb.
One common way to battle the elements involves using a car cover or another car storage solution. These straightforward products simply cover your vehicle to protect it from damage. Car covers are considered a more practical, dependable choice for protecting your ride.
What Are the Long-term Effects of Parking Outside?
Let’s say you park your car outside for several years. What could possibly happen to it? For one, you’ll probably have damage from the sun’s harmful UV rays. These powerful rays can cause your car’s paint to oxidize, which can lead to fading and peeling. That said, you may need a new paint job after the sun has done its damage.
Another worry involves your vehicle’s battery. Hot weather conditions can lead to many battery issues, including the evaporation of battery fluid. This can drastically shorten its lifespan and may even cause a dead battery. Extreme cold weather can also lead to problems, such as promoting rust formation on your brakes. While some rust is unavoidable during the colder months, outdoor street parking can accelerate this process.