In the summer of 2023, Texas experienced an extreme heatwave. 64 days reached triple-digit weather and 17 days were over 105 degrees. It was so hot that tires would melt on the highways. But that’s only one way extreme heat from the sun can damage a vehicle.
Since 2008, Big Valley Auto Auction has seen thousands of cars in different conditions. Being located in South Texas, we know firsthand what kind of damage the sun can do to a vehicle.
In this article, you’re going to learn the type of damage long-term sun exposure can cause to a car and how you can protect your car in these conditions.
After reading this article, you’ll have the information needed to help prevent serious sun damage to your car.
What Damage Can The Sun Cause to a Car?
Although sunlight can be good for the human body, cars don't feel the same. The damage the sun can cause to your car could be serious. We’re going to break down the following 6 types of sun damage your car could experience:
- Overheating
- A/C system damage
- Battery damage
- Interior damage
- Exterior damage
- Tire damage
Overheating
Your car’s engine generates a significant amount of heat when it’s used. In hot weather, the engine may struggle to cool down efficiently, especially if your cooling system already has issues. Hot weather raises the overall temperature, including the temperature of the air flowing through the radiator. When the outside temperature is high, the radiator has a harder time effectively getting rid of heat.
A/C system damage
When the sun is bright and the temperature gets high, our first instinct when we start the car is to turn the air condition on full blast. If it's extremely hot outside, the air conditioner in your car needs to work harder to cool down the inside. The increased workload on the A/C system can lead to increased wear and tear on its components. This can cause frequent breakdowns or the need for repairs.
Battery damage
If you spend a lot of time in the sun without drinking water, your body will dehydrate and your system will weaken. The sun has a similar effect on car batteries. High heat can cause the evaporation of the battery's electrolyte. Electrolyte loss can lead to a decrease in the battery's performance and can also result in damage to internal components.
Interior damage
Long-term exposure to sunlight can cause upholstery, dashboard, and other interior components to fade or change color. High temperatures can lead to the cracking and warping of dashboard panels, door panels, and other plastic parts in the car.
Sunlight can cause non-visible effects as well. Over time, the combination of heat and moisture can cause mold and mildew to grow, which leads to your car smelling bad. This is like when you leave milk out for too long and it starts to smell rotten.
Exterior damage
When you’re outside in the sun for a long time, your skin gets sunburned and eventually starts to peel. The same happens to a car. Heat and sunlight can cause the paint on a car's exterior to fade, peel, or crack. This can lead to a dull appearance and reduced resale value. Rubber seals around windows and doors, as well as other plastic exterior components, can dry out and become brittle in hot weather, increasing the likelihood of leaks and damage.
Tire damage
Just like paint can get dry and crack after long exposure to sunlight, so do tires. The rubber can become fragile and lose its elasticity. High temperatures can cause the rubber compound in the tire to degrade more quickly. This can result in decreased traction and performance, especially in wet or slippery conditions.
The heat can also cause the air inside the tire to expand. Too much heat can lead to an increase in tire pressure, which can cause over-inflated tires. Over-inflated tires are more likely to experience blowouts, especially when driving at high speeds.
How Can I Protect My Car From Sun Damage?
Here are 5 tips to help protect your car when it’s stuck in the sun.
- Park in the shade
- Use sunshades
- Regularly wax your car
- Check and replace fluids
- Regular maintenance
Park in the shade
Parking your car in a shaded area can minimize direct exposure to the sun.
Use sunshades
Placing sunshades or window covers on your windshield and side windows can reduce interior heat buildup. This helps protect your dashboard, upholstery, and other interior components from sun damage.
Regularly wax your car
Applying a coat of wax to your car's exterior can help protect the paint from sun damage and fading. Wax creates a barrier that shields the paint from UV rays and heat, keeping your car looking shiny and new for longer.
Check and replace fluids
Extreme heat can cause fluids like engine oil, transmission fluid, and brake fluid to degrade more quickly. Regularly check these fluids and replace them according to your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations to prevent damage to important components.
Regular maintenance
Make sure that your car's cooling system is in good working condition by checking coolant levels and inspecting for any leaks. Also, regularly check your tires for proper inflation, as under-inflated tires are more likely to experience blowouts in extreme heat.
Do I Know How to Protect My Car From Sun Damage?
If you haven’t experienced extreme heatwaves, consider yourself (and your car) lucky. Sun damage could cause issues that are expensive to repair. However, knowing the type of damage possible and how to protect your car can help you minimize the risk of damaging your vehicle’s condition.
Whether you’re a dealer who has your inventory out in the sun or you’re just a car owner looking for a few tips to prepare for the summer, you can use this article as a guide to help protect your car from the hot weather.
Just because a car has sun damage doesn't mean someone won't want to buy it. If you'd like to sell your sun damaged vehicle at Big Valley Auto Auction, click the button below to speak with our dealer registration specialist to get you registered.
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