The Siuslaw news., April 20, 2016, WEDNESDAY EDITION, Image 21

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/ SIUSLAWNEWS ❘
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WEDNESDAY EDITION
❘ APRIL 20, 2016 ❘
A Special
Supplement to
SECTION C
Siuslaw News
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
TAKE
A ROAD
TRIP
Before heading out,
follow these tips to
protect your car
METRO PHOTO
Keeping your vehicle out of the heat and sunlight when it is not in use can help protect its longevity this spring and summer.
C
ome summertime,
people anticipate
spending plenty of
time outdoors
enjoying the warm
weather and taking in the scenery.
In addition to lazy days spent at the
beach or around the pool, summer
is a great season for road trips and
other weekend getaways.
While many people look forward to the sun-
shine and heat of summer, extreme weather
can be problematic for vehicles. The warmer
season can take its toll on car paint and
mechanical components can bake under the
glaring sun and heat.
Furthermore, temperatures can quickly esca-
late inside the vehicle, potentially damaging
upholstery and anything else inside.
Avoid the sun as much as possible
Protecting your vehicle means keeping it out
of the heat and sunlight when it is not in use.
At home, park it inside of the garage or under
a carport.
When shopping or running errands, attempt to
find parking spaces in the shade or in a covered
parking enclosure. Try to run the bulk of your
errands during the early morning or evening
hours when the sun will not be as glaring.
Wax more often
Try to wax your car after every wash. A
good layer of wax can protect a vehicle’s paint
from dirt, debris and the sun’s rays.
Essential items
for roadside
emergency kits
Motorists never know when problems
with their vehicles may force them to pull
off the road and onto the shoulder.
Whether it’s a flat tire, a sputtering engine
or an empty gas tank, such circumstances
are never welcome.
But such situations need not be so
unbearable. Drivers who keep roadside
emergency kits in their vehicles may find
themselves getting back on the road more
quickly the next time an unforeseen prob-
lem forces them to pull off the highway.
The following are some must-have items
drivers should include in their roadside
emergency kits.
• Roadside flares
• First-aid kit
• Jumper cables
• Warm blankets
• Flashlight
• Screwdrivers (flat-head and Phillips)
• Tire-pressure gauge
• Spare tire
• De-icing agent
• Nonperishable snacks
• Extra fluids (i.e., motor oil, brake fluid,
antifreeze, windshield washer)
• Pliers
• Cell phone charger
• Important phone numbers (i.e.,
mechanic, auto insurance company)
Remember, premium waxes do not necessar-
ily work any better than less expensive waxes,
but the type of formulation (liquid, paste and
spray) may affect application and how long
each application lasts.
Consumer Reports found that paste waxes
are easier to use than liquid waxes, though liq-
uid waxes cleaned the best. Spray waxes were
the easiest to use and left the fewest stains on
plastic parts, but they didn’t last as long as
other waxes.
Clean out your “stuff”
The heat can cause items inside vehicles to
melt or explode. Depending on the product, a
lot of staining or damage can occur if items
melt or explode inside a car. Wax-based prod-
ucts can be particularly harmful.
Be wary of leaving lipstick, crayons, can-
dles, lip balms, sunscreen, and lotions inside
vehicles on hot days.
In addition, remove canned carbonated bev-
erages and other canned items to reduce likeli-
hood of spills.
Use visors and car covers
If you cannot keep your vehicle parked in
shady areas, do what you can to reduce direct
heat and sunlight exposure. Covers can protect
against UV rays and any sap or bird droppings
that may fall on the vehicle.
Place reflective visors on the windshield to
redirect sunlight so it doesn’t turn the inside of
the car into an oven. Keeping the windows
open slightly also can keep the air in cars
fresh.
While drivers are protecting their cars, they
should also protect themselves, passengers and
pets. Never leave a person or animal unattend-
ed in a hot car, even for a short time.
—Metro