How to Protect Your Car from Severe Weather Damage

Winter is bearing down on everyone right now, so it’s time to get ready. If you live in the northern part of the country or in the mountains you know what to expect: snow, ice, and cold. Those three things can beat up your car and make it look old before its time. Leaving your car outdoors all the time is not the best option for your vehicle’s health. Protecting your car from the elements will keep your car out of the repair shop, keep repair costs down, and keep it on the road. Learn how to protect your car from severe weather damage and make sure it runs great. These tips aren’t only for winter weather; they apply to any severe weather situation, so keep them in your back pocket.

Park in a Garage

When severe weather hits, the best thing you can do for your vehicle is to leave it in the garage. Having a roof over your car and four walls surrounding it will protect it from almost anything. Rain, wind, ice, or hail won’t be able to do damage to your car through that cover. Parking in a garage keeps your car warmer, too. Even without a heater in the garage, the temperature will stay 15 to 20 degrees warmer than it is outside. Cold affects the engine’s performance and causes wear because the oil thickens and doesn’t coat vital engine parts until it warms up.

Park in a Carport

There is one other thing that is almost as effective for car protection as a garage: a metal carport. A carport is like a garage without walls, meaning it offers overhead coverage to keep things from falling on your vehicle. If you can’t afford to build a garage, carports will protect your car or truck from rain and snow—all for a fraction of a garage’s price.

Drive for Conditions

The best way to protect your car is to drive appropriately for the road and weather conditions. You can’t drive your car if you crash it on an icy road. Snowy and icy roads are slick, making it harder to stop your car fast in an emergency. Slow down when the conditions call for it, because you never know when you will need to brake suddenly to avoid an accident. Take the precaution of slowing down in bad conditions.

Wash it Regularly

Inclement weather brings with it a host of dangers to your car. Snow and ice means salt on the roads, and that salt will eat away at your car’s paint slowly. Washing it off will prevent rust from forming and junking your car. Grime, tar, and bugs that exist year-round will eat away at your paint job, too. Wash your vehicle once a week and keep it looking sharp.