Hot summer days are great to spend out at the pool, lake, or indoor shopping mall. However, when you take your car to one of these locations and then leave it under the hot summer sun, you have the potential to do some serious damage. In this article we’ll take a look at the two most common problems that occur due to the sun’s rays and heat and how to avoid them.

Problem #1: The Interior

One of the areas that the sun can damage is the interior of your car. The UV rays of the sun can wreak havoc on your seats, steering wheel, and dashboard. When your car is left in the direct sunlight for extended periods of time, the effects of the rays intensify. Eventually cracks will start to appear on your steering wheel and dashboard, and your seats and upholstery will start to fade.

The easiest way to prevent most of this damage is to use a car sun shield or sun shade. A relatively inexpensive accessory, a sun shield fits into the windshield of your car and shades the interior from the sun’s rays. Not only does it protect all the interior elements of the car, it also helps reduce the internal temperature of your car, which means that you will be saved from that blast of extremely hot air whenever you open your car door.

Problem #2: Your Battery

Another major problem that can develop due to the summer sun is the killing of your battery. The heat accelerates the chemical operation that happens within the battery, which causes the internal fluids to evaporate. When the fluids have evaporated, this causes the battery to burn out and die.

If you have a stretch of extreme temperatures, the best way to make sure that all is well with your battery is to have it regularly cleaned and inspected. You can make sure the terminals are corrosion-free in-between inspections by cleaning it with a solvent of water and baking soda. Your Utah auto repair shop can check your battery to make sure that your battery is in its proper place and that all the connections are in tip top shape. This will help ensure that you are never stranded on the side of the road in triple digit weather with no power to your car – and no air conditioning.