August 6, 2023
Just like your skin can burn from too much sun, so can the paint on your vehicle. It can turn dull, oxidize and fade the more ultraviolet rays beat down on it. One solution is to park in a shady spot, or you can buy a cover for your vehicle and put it on when you know it's going to be sitting in the sun for awhile. Yes, it takes a couple of minutes to put on, but in the end, keeping the gloss on your paint will help it retain its beauty… and its value.
And it's not just the sun that can damage your vehicle's paint. Grit, bird droppings, sap, dust and dead bugs can all ruin the paint. So, keep your vehicle clean. Wash it with a soap made especially for vehicles. Dry it with special towels that won't scratch your paint. Remember: DON'T WASH YOUR VEHICLE IN THE SUN. Once your vehicle is washed, protect the paint even further with a coat of wax. DON'T WAX YOUR VEHICLE IN THE SUN, EITHER.
Don't forget the vehicle's interior. Plastic components inside can literally disintegrate when sunshine heats them up. That's what causes that oily film on the inside of the windows. So, pick up some of those reflective panels that unfold, placing them in the windshield and back window when you know the sun and heat are going to be intense. They'll keep out the ultraviolet light and help the interior stay cooler as well. That will help prevent upholstery from fading and plastic from cracking.
While you're at it, keep your interior's interior clean, too. That dust and dirt can literally bake into the dashboard, the seats, console and carpeting. There are cleaning products designed to clean your vehicle's interior that won't stain it or dry it out.
You invested a lot of money into that vehicle. The sun and dirt are just waiting to destroy it. Defend your valuable vehicle against the elements. Hey, it may not wind up on display in a museum, but it'll look great and last longer with just a little TLC.
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Whether or not your exterior light bulbs are all working probably is not at the top of your list when you think about your vehicle. But those exterior lights are more important than you think, and they're vital to your safety and that of other drivers near you. Headlights are important. Not onl... More
July 21, 2025
No, ERG isnt the sound a pirate makes. Its a part in your vehicle that recirculates exhaust gas to reduce certain gases and pollutants in the atmosphere. In fact, ERG stands for Exhaust Gas Recirculation. One gas our vehicles may make when they burn fuel is nitric oxide, which can play a big ro... More
July 14, 2025
While many components of your vehicle are complex and composed of lots of mechanical and electrical parts, there's one that isn't complicated but still important. It's your engine air filter. (And, we should point out, the engine air filter isn't to be confused with the cabin air filter. The ca... More