You change your oil; you make sure your tires are properly inflated; you get your annual inspection; you check your fluids now and then; you drive carefully. If this is how you care for your SUV, you're doing a great job at extending its life, but are you doing everything you can to ensure that it lasts and performs optimally for years or at least until trade-in time? If you aren't using a vehicle cover, you are leaving your SUV open to attack. Sun rain, snow, dirt, dust, pollutants, bird droppings, tree sap, and accidental dings and scratches are the real enemies of your car; SUV covers can help you maintain its appearance and performance, and they do it very easily and conveniently. Why use a cover? With its protective qualities, you should ask yourself, "Why not?"
Covers protect your vehicle from the elements that Mother Nature throws at us, as well as those thrown at us by other people. In addition to harsh UV rays and potentially corrosive rain, you have to worry about the neighbor's dog that likes to jump on cars, the kids who ride by on bikes, errant baseballs or sports equipment, and much more. Even if that dog only makes a small scratch, this can allow dirt, dust, or moisture to make its way into the tiny cracks and damage your paint job. And, of course, you have to worry about theft. Covers are a great theft deterrent; usually, car thieves want to slip into a car unnoticed and drive off with the minimum amount of fuss. A locked car sometimes stops them and they'll go for easier pickings. A car cover provides an extra barrier – and extra work and attention for that thief, who will likely walk away. Also, if you have expensive stereo equipment or other accessories in your vehicle, a cover simply blocks them from view. It's not a temptation for thieves of opportunity.
Choosing a vehicle cover is a bit more involved than throwing a tarp over it, which, by the way, is not a great idea! But if you take a few minutes to think about your needs, you'll be able to narrow down your choices and make the best purchase for your car. Think about the climate in which you live: is it very sunny? Very rainy? Does the temperature fluctuate so you have steamy summers and snowy winters? Thinking about the weather and the conditions under which you are going to store or park your car is essential. For instance, if you live in the Sunshine State, you will want a cover with extra UV protection, such as Sunbrella. On the other hand, if you need a cover that can handle mixed weather, including large amounts of rain, UV rays, snow, and dusty and dirty conditions, a cover like Noah by Covercraft will be ideal.
The fabric is an essential component of a great cover, as is fit. Without both good fabric and good fit, you are not protecting your car as well as you could. Make sure that you get a cover that fits your car. Not a similar car, not the old body style, not a four-door when you have a two-door. It has to fit your car and its particular features. There are ready-made covers, which are great if you have a common make and model. For those who want a better fit, semi-custom and custom covers allow for maximum protection and coverage.
You may also want to consider other features such as ease of use, whether it can lock, ease of cleaning, how much storage space is required when it's not in use, and good price. Adding these as well as accessories like SUV seat covers to the fit and fabric equation ensures you will get the best protection for your SUV.
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