Tinted windows help to protect upholstery from damage caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Photo by Ryan Lely.
Now that summer is officially here, it’s time to protect your vehicle’s interior and upholstery, and the engine’s cooling system from the intense heat and ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Locally, Kragen Auto Parts on West Napa Street, has the biggest selection of reflectors, window shades and film to keep the sun out of parked vehicles. Foil-covered accordion-fold reflectors that sit on the inside of a vehicle’s windshield cost from $6 to $12, depending on the size. Two-piece round pop-up windshield reflectors, which can be easier to handle, are also available.
As for which one to pick, Cesar Bandt, who works in the Sonoma Kragen store, said it’s a matter of personal preference. He doesn’t think one type is better than the other, though customers buy twice as many pop-ups as accordion-fold models, he said.
To keep the sun out of the vehicle and off passengers, especially children, while driving, Kragen sells a mesh shade that attaches to the rear window with suction cups, one that can be pressed onto a side window and a roller shade that hooks over side windows. Longs Drugs also has a selection of reflectors and shades.
José Hernandez, owner of Sonoma Custom Upholstery, recommends tinted windows to protect upholstery from damage caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. For do-it-yourselfers, Kragen sells gray film for side and rear windows – some cling by static and others attach with peel-off adhesive. The darkest film lets only 2.5 percent of visible light through, like the darkest limousine. Kragen sells other densities that lets in more light – 5, 20 and 35 percent of visible light.
To protect your vehicle’s exterior, Larry Lazzareschi of Lazzareschi’s Body Shop recommended monthly washing and waxing. To save water and reduce polluted runoff to the Bay, he suggested using a bucket of water and towel to wash and dry one section of the vehicle at a time. Auto parts stores sell special waxes that will help restore faded paint, he said.
Will Murray of Williams Auto Care suggested that drivers make sure their cooling systems are full. If coolant has had to be added lately, the system should be checked for leaks, he said. If the temperature gauge shows the engine is hot while the car is running, one solution is to turn off the air conditioning and turn on the heater to draw some of the heat away from the engine. With more dust in dry summer air, Murray reminds drivers to fill their windshield washer reservoirs and make sure wiper blades will do a good job cleaning.
If you are looking for car air conditioning repair in Melbourne visit Natrad.
Sonoma Custom Upholstery
19270 Hwy. 12 (behind Sonoma Rentals), Sonoma
707.938.5728
Mon. – Fri, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sat 8 a.m. – noon
Williams Auto Care Center
18380 Hwy. 12, Sonoma 707.996.1056
www.williamsautocare.com
Lazzareschi’s Body Shop
21877 8th St. E., Sonoma 707.938.8144
Kragen Auto Parts
289 W. Napa St., Sonoma
707.938.5093
Mon. – Sat. 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sun. 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Longs Drugs
201 W. Napa St., Sonoma 707.938.4739
Mon. – Sat. 7 a.m. – midnight Sun. 8 a.m. – midnight
