The summer months provide a unique opportunity. Whether you’re taking your family on a road trip or are taking the scenic route to work to enjoy the seemingly-endless daylight, your truck is most likely getting a lot of usage.
As a truck owner, you are most likely aware of the importance of maintaining your vehicle regularly to keep it looking and functioning at its best. However, what a lot of online maintenance guides may not mention is the importance of maintaining the interior. The summer conditions provide an environment where interiors can be stained or damaged. To avoid this, you need to protect surfaces on the inside of your truck.
Intense Heat Entering the Truck
Anytime you drive somewhere in the summer, the shady parking spots are always the first ones to be filled. This means that many vehicles are forced to sit in direct sunlight for hours. This can cause extensive damage to the interior. If heat gets trapped in the truck, it can dry out leather seats and cause cracks in the material. Additionally, UV rays can bleach and discolor both leather and fabric seating.
Your first line of defense is to try and park as far away from direct sunlight as possible, but that is not always a practical solution. The next best option is to utilize seat covers. These will protect seats from direct sunlight. It is also recommended to crack your windows if you’re going to be parked for a while. Keeping the windows slightly cracked allows the heat to escape and minimizes the possibility of the interior exhibiting an oven effect.
Unwanted Mess and Spills
Anyone who owns a vehicle knows that it is easy for the interior to become messy. Kids can spill their snacks or other passengers can hop in with their muddy shoes. Food and dirt can easily be ground into seats and flooring. If not cleaned in a reasonable time, it can cause significant damage. To avoid this, invest in floor mats to protect flooring alongside seat covers. It’s also important that you regularly wipe out and vacuum your truck’s interior. You should clean the interior at least as often as you clean the exterior. Most car washes have cleaning supplies and areas to clean out your truck.
Germ Contamination
Vehicles are for transporting people from one place to another. If you often have passengers in your car, there’s a strong chance that they may have some germs coming along for the ride. This is especially true if you work for ride-sharing companies. Neoprene seat covers are an effective way to protect your seats. They are made out of a rubbery material, which is easy to sanitize. A bonus benefit is that they are weatherproof; so, if you have a wet passenger, a kid with an accident, or some other inconvenient situation, it’ll take little effort to clean up.
Summer is a time for adventure and excitement. You want your truck to look its best, and you don’t want to spend time scrubbing stubborn messes or money on replacing the interior. By protecting the inside of your truck, you are maintaining the value of your vehicle and making your ride safe and enjoyable for you and your passengers.