With summer officially in full swing, the sun, heat, and Minnesota elements can do a number on your vehicle if you’re not prepared. Although the dog days of summer are meant for relaxing, it’s important you don’t take it too easy when it comes to caring for your vehicle.

By keeping these five things in mind over the next few months, your car, and wallet, will thank you.

5 Tips For Preventing Summer Car Problems

Find Shade

This might seem like common sense, but parking in the shade whenever possible will help keep your vehicle running properly and looking great. Consistent exposure to direct sunlight can severely fade the paint and interior, as well as crack rubber trims, seals, and vinyl. Even leather seats can fall victim to a hot summer day. If there are no garages, trees, or structures to seek shade under, use sun reflectors inside the windows to keep temperatures from rising too high and fading the interior.

Wash It

Not only will giving your vehicle a frequent cleaning keep it looking sharp, but removing the dirt, dust, and debris will help prevent small scratches from forming, as build-up of these items can lead to exterior damages. Other common elements that stick on vehicles more regularly during summer months are dead bugs and bird droppings. It’s important to wash these items off, as the acidic content can discolor your vehicle’s paint job. Drying your car thoroughly by hand with a soft cloth will prevent water spots from forming as well.

Test the Battery

Many motorists assume that winter wreaks the most havoc on a car’s battery. Conversely, the hot summer months actually take more of a toll on your vehicle’s battery than any other season. Extreme heat weighs on the battery due to various systems running constantly, such as the air conditioning. It's also important to keep an eye out for warning signs, should a warning light indicate an issue, have a professional mechanic diagnose the problem. Regular testing of your battery will also help diminish the risk of being stranded on a hot summer day because your car won’t start.

Avoid Sprinklers

You may think you’re getting a free car wash by parking next to the sprinkler system, but you should think again, as you may be in for some trouble. The minerals from the sprinkler system that are left behind on your vehicle bond to the paint, which make them extremely difficult to remove. These hard water spots are much worse than rain and, oftentimes, need to be waxed off. It’s best to avoid parking near sprinkler systems if at all possible.

Schedule an Inspection

Not sure where to start when it comes to protecting your car this summer? Leave it to the experts and schedule an inspection. Having your vehicle thoroughly inspected before your summer road trips, tailgating events, and whatever else you have planned is a great way to avoid damage to your car this season.

Schedule your appointment at our Golden Valley location by calling (763) 522-2000 or our Lakeville location at (952) 469-1500.

Prioritizing safety with our customers

While we have always consistently maintained high standards over the years in our cleanliness practices, Poquet Auto has implemented two new programs and additional processes to keep the car buying experience safe.

In addition to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention guidelines, we work in accordance with the Minnesota Department of Health to ensure that our customers and employees are as safe as possible.

Check out our new contactless buying experience to learn how our primary focus is getting cars to our buyers in the safest way possible.