Expert Advice

What are some car care tips for living at the beach?

The two main things that vehicle owners must account for when living at the beach are salt exposure and increased sun exposure. With preventative maintenance and the help of O’Leary car care centers, you can keep your car in peak condition despite its exposure to environmental factors at the beach.

Corrosion, rust and paint loss are much more common and happen more quickly in vehicles that spend most of their time near the beach. You can learn more about the damage caused by sun and salt in a recent expert advice article found here. However, there are steps you can take to help prevent vehicles from being damaged by the elements if you live in a coastal environment:

• Keep it covered – If possible, park your vehicle in a garage. If a garage is not available, you can keep your vehicle covered when not in use. Vehicle and part manufacturers sell covers customized for a variety of vehicles.
• Keep it off the beach – It’s not recommended to drive on sand or in ocean water. Sand can kick up into the undercarriage of a vehicle, and the ocean water is extremely damaging to its parts and paint.
• Give it a rinse – If you are someone who can’t resist driving on the beach, be sure to rinse your vehicle afterward. It’s particularly important to rinse the undercarriage to prevent rust.
• Wash and wax regularly – Washing and waxing your vehicle on a regular basis also helps remove salt from the exterior and protects the paint.
• Inspect regularly – Be sure to inspect areas that are more vulnerable to damage and keep them clean. The trunk, hood and edges of the doors are especially vulnerable to rust. The brake calipers, nuts and bolts also are among the first parts to show signs of corrosion.
• Replace parts in a timely fashion – When you start to notice rust or corrosion on parts, don’t wait to get them replaced. The longer you let them go, the more likely they are to fail.

Greater Wilmington Car Care Centers

The environment can have an impact on the longevity and performance of your vehicle. While coastal living offers many benefits, it can create havoc on your car or truck. A trustworthy and knowledgeable car care center can help keep damage at bay. Because of the effect that ocean air has on your car, damage prevention is essential.

O’Leary’s Automotive Repair is a local car care center that can help with routine inspections and replacement of corroded parts. With four convenient locations, O’Leary’s auto repair centers have mechanics throughout the greater Wilmington area who will service and repair your car the correct way, the first time. Please contact us if you’d like to learn more about our services.