From extreme cold to extreme heat to snow, hail, and ice – there are a lot of ways the weather can cause damage to your car. And the weather isn’t all of it – theft and damage from other vehicles can also be threats to your car and any valuables inside. There’s a lot to consider but taking a few steps can really help you protect your car from damage and theft.
- Watch where you park. If you have the option, parking in your garage is often the best choice, especially if you’re expecting bad weather. If that isn’t possible, parking in the shade when it’s hot outside can help keep your car cool and reduce sun damage. Likewise, parking in a well-lit, well-travelled area of the parking lot (or on the street, if necessary) can help deter theft.
- Put away your valuables. It seems like common sense, but you shouldn’t leave electronics, money, or other valuables out in the open in your car – especially your keys, but also your laptop, purse or wallet, or even charging cords for your phone or GPS. It’s best not to leave them in the car at all, but at least try to place them out of sight or locked in your glove box or another compartment.
- Check the thermometer. If you do happen to leave your electronics, like your phone or laptop, in your car, make sure you’re keeping an eye on the temperature. Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can do a lot of damage to your devices if you’re not careful. Keeping electronics out of direct sunlight or covered up in a case can help protect them from temperature extremes if you have to leave them in your car.
- Have maintenance done regularly. This can mean a lot of things – taking your car to a mechanic, doing a few checks yourself on a regular schedule, or even getting frequent car washes. It’ll depend a lot on where you live and what the weather is like, but things like checking the pressure in your tires and knowing when to change the different fluids and filters in your car can go a long way to getting the most miles out of your car.
- Accessorize. There are a lot of different tools and products out there that can help you protect your car in different ways, from sun protectors to stop damage to your car’s interior to ice scrapers to clear off your car after a winter storm. You might not need all of these, depending on what the weather is like where you live, but it’s worth checking out to see if they might be useful for you.
Even just a few small steps can go a long way to helping protect your car from bad weather, theft, or other types of damage!