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Blog - Protect Car From Summer Heat


April 11, 2022

How to Protect Your Car from Summer Heat & Road Trip Wear

You know that a car left in the sun on a summer day can become hot — but do you know exactly HOW hot? Well, a dark dashboard can reach temperatures of up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Thats enough to bring a steak up to its safe-for-consumption internal temperature of 145 degrees!

On a summer road trip adventure, finding a garage to shady spot to park can be difficult! And consistent exposure to intense summer heat paired with general road trip wear and tear could inflict lasting damage on your vehicle. Stay ahead of summer heat and road trip-related wear by using these tips to help protect your car’s interior and exterior.


1. Park In the Shade

Parking in the shade sounds easy but may require some forethought since parking lots at popular destinations like malls and movie theaters don’t always offer much shade. You may have to park a little farther out (a great way to work in some activity after sitting in your car for a while) or arrive early to snag the right spot. Your dashboard will thank you as exposure to the sun can lead to drying, cracking, and discoloration.

2. Use a Windshield Shade

The easiest way to block those harsh summer sun rays is to use a windshield shade. You’ve probably seen many varieties of windshield shades (or sunshades) before. Typically, they stretch across the inside width of your car’s front windshield and reflect sunlight that could otherwise heat your car and damage its dashboard and upholstery. It’s a fast and easy way to protect your car from the sun’s heat, and there are plenty of fun, custom sunshades to choose from to fit your style!

3. Cool Your Car Remotely

If there’s no shade available, don’t dread the drive home in your oven on wheels. Instead, install a remote engine starter* that can get to work cooling things down and alleviating some heat-related wear and tear. With just a press of a button, your cars air conditioning can start up before you get in the car, so you can step into a cool cabin. Just make sure you arent running your vehicle in accessory mode, as that can quickly drain your car battery.

4. Wash and Wax Your Car

Summer weather introduces potential sun damage to your car and the threats posed by road grime, dust, and dirt. Over time, your cars paint job can suffer from the accumulated filth. Wondering how to protect your car paint from the sun and heat? Wash it regularly!

Be careful not to inadvertently scratch the paint when cleaning away the crud. Then, finish up by hand-drying your car with a microfiber towel. Once its dry, consider applying a specialized wax to further prevent sun damage. Wax can help fend off harmful ultraviolet radiation that can sap the life out of your car’s finish. Plus, its an easy way to wipe off those unavoidable bird droppings.

5. Tend to Your Tires

Just as the summer sun can turn your car’s dashboard into a stovetop, it can also turn the pavement into a steaming hibachi! On a really hot day, pavement temps can reach 150 degrees Fahrenheit, which can cause severe problems for tires — increasing risks of degradation and failure over time. Regular maintenance, including checking the tire pressure, can help identify potential issues such as tread separation.

6. Treat Your Leather

Few features express luxury and comfort as much as your INFINITI’s leather interior. Youll need to learn how to protect leather car seats from the sun, though! Left exposed to unrelenting heat, leather’s plush feel and premium coloring can diminish. Using seat covers can help, but there’s an alternative — leather conditioners. Specialized leather treatments provide the care and nourishment your leather seats need, as well as protection from humidity and UV rays to help them retain their fit and finish.

7. Consider a Cargo Cover

Your average daily grind can deliver a beating to your car’s cargo area. Constant trips to the grocery store or the home improvement center, family cookouts, camping excursions, and even gear-heavy recreational pastimes can quickly leave your cargo area looking scratched, dinged, and dirty. Cargo area liners and covers can help protect this space while simultaneously fending off damaging sun rays as effectively as a windshield shade protects the dashboard.

8. Bolster Your Bumper Protection

As the name implies, your car’s bumpers provide a high-impact service for you, your passengers, and other drivers. Even if they’re not making contact with other vehicles or parking lot posts, they’re still in an ongoing battle with the blazing sun and road debris that strike them every day. Bumper covers can provide an extra layer of protection that extends the appeal (and perhaps even the resale value) of your INFINITI.

Prepare for The Road Ahead by Protecting Your INFINITI

Protect your INFINITI from the elements with proper care and UV-protective accessories made to fit your model. From seat covers to sun shades and everything in-between, INFINITI accessories online.

*Note, state laws may apply. Review before using.


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