CAR ESSENTIALS 2: Tips on how to protect your car from the sun!

One of the problems of living in a tropical country such as ours is having to deal with the scorching heat of the sun especially during summer—which is like, all the time except when its raining.

And thanks to all those ads and campaigns we are fully aware of how sun exposure can harm our skin, but did you know the sun’s rays can also damage your car?

When you leave your car parked out in in the sun for extended periods of time, the temperature inside can reach as high as 145 degrees Fahrenheit, while the surface of the car’s exterior can reach much higher – up to nearly 200 degrees Fahrenheit!

But we all know that the only thing that’s harder to find than free parking space, is finding a free parking space that’s under the shade. Right?

Just like regular PMS, its up to you to protect your parked car from heat. And just you’re your skin your car upholstery, dashboards and steering wheels can also suffer from “premature” aging when too much sunlight and heat beaming down on them regularly.

So if you have to park in the sunshine during summer on a regular basis, here are a few tips to protect the inside part of the car:

  1. Park Smart. I know it’s going to be a challenge but if you do have a choice between parking your car in the middle of a blazing parking lot or under a tree, opt for the shade, even if it’s a bit farther from the entrance. Try to look for streets where the shade created by buildings will be passing over your car during the hottest part of the day.
  1. Consider getting tinted windows. There are several shades of tint. I would’ve gone for the darkest tint if not for the fact that I have difficulty seeing at night. So I got the medium one which is enough to keep my car cool but still clear at night.
  1. Protect the upholstery and dashboard with products: The next time you visit a car accessories store pick up a few items which not only keep your car clean but also provide an additional protective layer to your dashboard, shiftgear and even seats. AutoGard has a lot of protective products to choose from which I’ll be reviewing in future posts.
  1. Keep an eye on your coolant. Ofcourse don’t do this while the engine is hot but before you go on a drive make sure that your water level and coolant is topped up.
  1. Get a car sun shade. One of the easiest and probably cheapest way to protect the interior of your car is to get a good sunshade. This is usually something that easily folds out and then folds up easily for storing behind the seat. If you put up a shade every time you use the car, it’ll help cut the sun’s rays and can reduce a bit of the heat. If you are driving a car it might also be a good idea to get a back window car shade as well.

The one I have is a KOBE sun shade, a reflective one since that can bounce the sun rays away from the interior. Not only will it mitigate the heat build-up, it will also protect the plastic and leather parts from direct sunlight. And keep your car a bit cooler. Kobe Sun Shade is made of thick insulating bubbles that blocks heat and UV Rays and fits most cars, trucks and AUV windshields. It also comes with two suction cups so you can easily attach the shade without having to worry that it will fall off.

As promised, I also included a couple of other items that you definitely need to have in your car especially if you are driving alone.

The first is the REDX SmartBand Organizer. Its an elastic band which you put on the passenger seat so that you can easily put a few items, such as water bottles, food items or even your mobile phone so that it wouldn’t fall off and distract you.

It is both stretchable and adjustable and can fit any sized car seat. So if you are driving alone and need to have some items easily within reach this is a must have for you.

And when you are not using it or have a passenger you simply need to slide it down and is easily stays hidden between the  gap of your seat.

The next item is the REDX Slim Line Trash Bag. Now, I don’t usually allow other people to eat inside my car but its simply unavoidable if you have  several passengers or are driving with kids. I used to have a cute trash can but it keeps on tumbling side to side and the trash usually spill out on the carpet.

The REDX Slim Line trash bag

What I like about The REDX Slim Line trash bag is that its big enough to fit your usual rubbish and you can easily tuck it in the back seat

When you are done using it you can easily fold it away and hide it again! And its also easy to clean!

AutoGard has a llot of protective products to choose from which I’ll review in future posts — lot

You can get the KOBE Car shade, AutoGard, and other products from Miles and Levels products at Lazada.com.ph, shopmnl.com, Ace Hardware, Ace Builders,  Ace Express branches, Handyman, True Value, Landers Superstore, Wilcon Depot, S&R, All Home, Gaisano Malls, SM Supermarket, Landmark and Shopwise.

Thats it for now! Check back regularly and follow us on instagram @whereiseduy and Twitter @whereiseduy for updates.  I’ll be sure to post more car care tips soon!

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