According to a recent USA Today article, Florida was the fastest-growing state in 2022, thanks to the many relocating northerners. People aren't just retiring and heading to Florida, either. More people move to the state to enjoy the benefits of no state taxes, white sandy beaches, and, of course, the weather. Venice and the rest of Florida's west coast get an average of 255 sunny days each year.
Whether you're new to Florida or a lifelong resident, you must protect yourself from the sun's damaging rays. But are you doing enough to protect your car? Unfortunately, many residents don't take the necessary precautions to keep their vehicles looking shiny and new. But if you follow these tips and tricks, your car will thank you.
Parking Indoors
It may seem simple, but keeping your car from the sun will protect its exterior paint. Many Floridians have garages they use for storage instead of vehicles. We recommend you tidy up your indoor parking and use it for its intended purpose.
We know not everyone has a garage; even those with one can't always make the room. You can build a carport if you have the space and money. Carports come in various sizes and offer a relatively inexpensive form of sun protection. If you don't have a garage and can't afford a carport, consider buying a car cover. In most cases, a car cover costs between $100 and $200. It takes a little effort to take off and put on, but you'll get the same results for much less money.
Cleaning the Front Dashboard
Your car's exterior paint isn't the only thing prone to sun damage. The front dashboard spends the same time in the sun as the rest of your vehicle. Over time, the sun will cause the color to fade and lighten. While this sun-bleached look may play well with your hair, it damages the dashboard.
Fortunately, protecting the dashboard takes minimal effort and only a few dollars. You can find products that clean and polish leather and plastic interior furnishings. These products give your interior a like-new look and protect against the sun's harmful rays. Products for this purpose come in various application forms, from spray bottles to individual wipes. You don't have to wipe exposed areas daily, but a weekly, bi-monthly, or even monthly routine will help prolong your dashboard's luster.
Frequent Car Washes and Waxes
No matter where you live, washing and waxing your vehicle will protect its exterior paint. In Florida, the sun causes significant damage. As a coastal city, Venice's cars are exposed to salt carried from the sea by wind and storms. Chemical particulates from the road also end up on your vehicle, causing damage to your car's paint.
Washing your vehicle will clear dust, dirt, and particulates, but washing isn't enough. Splurging for a wax finish at the automatic car wash adds another layer of protection. Your car's exterior paint comes with a coat of wax. Unfortunately, every time you wash your car, you wear away the wax coating, eventually stripping it altogether. Therefore, we strongly recommend you reapply a wax coat after every wash for maximum protection against all the harmful elements.
Seat Covers and Windshield Covers
Upholstery, be it cloth, synthetic, or leather, also fades beneath the sun's withering rays. Eventually, leather and synthetic materials will dry and become brittle, making them susceptible to cracking and scratches. Seat covers protect your upholstery from fading, cracking, and scratches and protect against spills that might stain. Windshield covers also provide sun protection to your dashboard and seats. These covers cost a few dollars and fold neatly to fit in your back seat or trunk. You might also consider having your windows professionally tinted. Tinting helps reduce the amount of sun passing through to your interior.
Sunset Cadillac of Venice has various seat covers and accessories in our parts department that are tailor-made to fit your Cadillac. In addition, our finance center has financing programs for parts and services to help make purchasing them more affordable.
Other Tips and Tricks
The sun affects your vehicle with more than damaging rays. Florida's high temperatures can cause additional problems for your car.
Inflate Your Tires
Your tires lose one pound of air pressure naturally every month. The combination of Florida's hot pavement and underinflated tires creates a hazardous situation that could lead to a blowout. Check your tires' air pressure often for safer and more efficient operations. We suggest you keep a small tire pressure gauge in your glove box or center console. They cost around $10 and are easy to use. You can check your tire pressure while refueling. If you need air, you're at a gas station that probably has an air pump.
Test Your Battery
Scorching temperatures can negatively impact your battery, causing it to fail sooner. In addition to the heat, you run your car's air conditioning (AC), which strains your battery. Therefore, we recommend you test your battery at least twice yearly. Our service center can perform this test quickly while we change your oil. We have an expansive inventory of new batteries we can install if yours shows signs of failure.
Inspect Your Engine Cooling System
Your engine requires a coolant to be pumped through it to protect it from high temperatures created by combustion. Extreme heat makes this more challenging, and old radiator fluid may not be up to the task. We recommend you inspect your engine cooling system regularly for maximum engine protection.
Routine AC Service
Your car's AC works tirelessly during the summer months. That workload can strain its compressor, fan, and other components. Our service center technicians can inspect your vehicle's AC and spot potential issues before they fail, keeping you cool when needed.
Sun Damage Can Be Avoided
The sun isn't going away anytime soon, so don't leave your car unprotected. Follow these tips and tricks, and you'll enjoy a better-looking, more efficient, and safer driving experience so you can focus on your next Florida adventure. Please contact us at our South Venice, Florida, dealership if you have questions or need help sun-proofing your Cadillac. One of our friendly, professional staff will assist you.
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