You’ve picked a sunny day, planned your route, packed the sun cream, and made a picnic – your road trip to the beach is within touching distance! But, have you thought about how to look after your car?
All the heat, sand and salt can cause your vehicle cosmetic or physical damage which may require a service or repair if you’re not careful. So, here are our top five tips to keep your car in great condition for a summer of beach trips, from the experts at Eurorepar.
1. Bring Your Coat
No, we’re not talking about your parka in the coat cupboard! A couple of days before your trip, wash your car and apply a generous coat of wax to protect your paintwork from the sand and salt that it will be exposed to at the beach – this will make it less likely to pick up superficial scratches. Waxing your car also protects it from the sun’s harmful UV rays that can fade paintwork over time.
2. Shake It Off
One sign of a good beach day is being covered head to toe in sand, but you don’t want to bring this into your car as it’s very difficult to get rid of.
When you’re getting ready to leave the beach, shake off your towel as much as possible and bring a clean one with you to sit on for the drive home to catch any leftover sand. Remember to give your shoes a good knock together to get rid of any sand before you get into the car. It’s a good idea to keep a bottle of water handy to wash off any excess sand from your hands or feet too.
3. Heating Up
Don’t just protect yourself from the sun - protect your car too. If you can, park in the shade to try and keep your car as cool as possible. As temperatures soar, shield your interiors from excessive heat by using a foil deflector, and cover your seats in towels. No one likes the pain of sitting on hot seats, especially if you have leather interiors!
4. Locking Up
Staying secure at the beach can be a difficult task. If you’re alone, where do you hide the keys? There are a few decoys on the market that you can store your keys in, such as fake sun cream containers, but the safest thing to do is keep them with you at all times and invest in a waterproof pouch. This way, you can relax in the knowledge that your car and your valuables are safe at all times.
5. Wash Away the Day
When the fun’s over and you’re back at home, take a hose pipe and rinse your car down to remove any loose salt, sand and dust, before giving it a thorough wash all over. Try to remove as much sand from the exterior as possible to stop it from damaging the paintwork. Sand on your wheels can leave them looking dull, so take a soft sponge and wipe them down, before following with a protective spray. Remove any towels and mats from the interior and use a hoover to clear up any remaining sand to make your car look as good as new.
We hope these top tips will help you to keep your car in great condition at the beach all summer long. If you think your vehicle requires a service, find your nearest centre and book an appointment online today with a qualified technician.
