9 Smart Ways to Protect Your Car During Summer Heat
Summer heat can be tough on vehicles. Hot temperatures can damage your car’s battery, while UV rays fade paint and crack interior surfaces. Knowing how to protect your car in summer helps prevent costly repairs and keeps your vehicle looking great. Here is what you need to know.
How Hot Does a Car Get in the Sun?
The interior of a parked car can heat up fast. According to the CDC, an outside temperature of 80°F can raise cabin temperatures to 109°F in just 20 minutes and 123°F after an hour—hot enough to damage plastic, upholstery, and electronics.
How to Protect Your Car from the Sun
Follow these steps to reduce sun damage and heat-related issues:
1. Check Tire Pressure
Hot weather increases tire pressure, raising the risk of blowouts, and reducing braking performance. Underinflated tires on hot pavement also increases blowout risk. Check tire pressure regularly. Grease Monkey offers free tire checks and adjustments with every full-service oil change.
2. Wax Your Car to Protect the Paint
UV rays fade and dull paint over time. Applying high-quality wax creates a protective barrier against sun damage.
3. Use a Car Cover
If you park outdoors, use a breathable car cover to prevent condensation and protect against UV rays. Choose one that is easy to slip on and off.
4. Park in the Shade
Whenever possible, park in shaded areas or indoor garages to minimize sun exposure.
5. Install Seat Covers and Windshield Screens
Interior surfaces like dashboards and seats are highly vulnerable to UV damage. Seat covers protect upholstery, while windshield sunshades prevent cracking and fading.
6. Monitor Fluid Levels
Heat accelerates fluid evaporation. Check and top off:
- Coolant
- Brake fluid
- Transmission fluid
- Power steering fluid
Grease Monkey offers fluid exchange services and complimentary top-offs between oil changes.
7. Check Your Car Battery
Summer heat evaporates battery fluid and speeds up corrosion, reducing battery life. Grease Monkey provides battery inspections to check fluid levels and terminal conditions.
How to Keep Your Car Cool in Summer
8. Tint Your Windows
Window tinting blocks harmful UV rays and helps keep your cabin cooler. Check your state’s legal tint limits before installation.
9. Use Windshield Protectors or Sunshades
Sunshades reduce cabin heat and protect dashboards from UV damage. They are useful year-round—absorbing heat in summer and preventing frost in winter.
Preventive Maintenance for Summer Driving
Regular maintenance is key to protecting your car from heat damage. Grease Monkey’s full-service oil change includes fluid top-offs, tire pressure checks, and battery inspections to keep your vehicle ready for extreme temperatures. Find your nearest Grease Monkey location today!
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