How to choose an outdoor car cover

Quick insights

• Protecting your car with a cover can help maintain its appearance and value over time, especially if you primarily park your car outdoors.
• Outdoor car covers are typically made from water-resistant materials to help prevent the corrosive effects of rain, snow and ice.
• Matching the dimensions of your car is also key, as an improperly fitted cover may negate any other benefits it provides.

For most drivers, buying and upkeeping a vehicle is a significant investment. While “upkeep” for a vehicle often refers to mechanical maintenance under the hood, it’s important not to neglect the car’s exterior. After all, keeping a car’s exterior protected can help maintain its overall value and extend its lifespan, especially if you mostly park your car outdoors. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the factors that can play into this decision. We’ll cover reasons for getting a car cover, how to pick the right one and what you can do to help make your cover last.

The importance of a car cover

Just how essential is a car cover? The importance can range depending on a variety of factors, including your climate and where you park your car.

• Inclement weather: If you park outdoors, one of the main forces working against your car’s exterior is the elements. Depending on the climate you live in, high winds, rain, hail, ice and snow may all contribute to wear and tear on your car. In areas that get very cold, repeated exposure to ice and road salt can be especially corrosive.
• Other natural forces: Even in areas where the climate is more temperate, car owners should be aware that UV rays can damage a car’s exterior over time. Bird droppings, tree sap, dust and pollen can also mar your vehicle’s appearance and create an unpleasant chore, which could be avoidable with a simple car cover.
• Saving on repairs: Once damage is done, the cost of touching up, repairing or repainting your car can become a drag on your budget and your time. Small touch-ups may only cost a few hundred dollars, but a full repainting can be a several-thousand-dollar investment. Even regular car washes can add up fast when your car’s appearance is a priority.
• Maintaining resell value: When it comes to reselling your car, looks matter even more. Even if you’ve put in the time and money to keep your car running great, potential buyers may not be able to look past cosmetic damage.
• Theft deterrence: While a car cover won’t prevent a determined thief from stealing your vehicle, the privacy it provides may offer a helpful deterrent. It’s possible that concealing your car with a cover could make it less obvious to bad actors, especially if it’s somewhat flashy without it.

Those with ready access to a garage will have fewer of these factors to contemplate. However, a car that’s driven less frequently can still gather dust or sustain minor damage while sitting in a garage. Garage owners can therefore still benefit from a simple car cover as a simple protective measure against dust and other internal elements.

Factors to consider when choosing a car cover

The first thing to consider when shopping for a car cover is where you’ll primarily park your car. Car cover materials can vary depending on if the cover is intended for indoor or outdoor use. For either purpose, it's also important to choose a car cover that fits your car correctly and can be easily installed and removed.

Weather-resistance

Preventing weather damage is important when your car is parked outdoors. If you plan to keep your car outdoors, a waterproof car cover may be worth considering. In many cases, water-resistant polyester materials will provide the best coverage for inclement weather. Most outdoor-specific car covers also include UV protection, which can help your vehicle resist damage caused by the sun as it sits outside.

Double-check the dimensions

It's important to keep your car’s dimensions handy when comparing car covers. In many cases, you can find the dimensions for your car’s make and model with a simple search engine query—and it can't hurt to double-check the dimensions you find with your own tape measure. Make sure that these closely match the car cover you’re considering. Depending on the value of the vehicle, some individuals may choose to have a custom cover made for their car.

Quality considerations

As is the case with any kind of purchase, staying within your own budget is key. Car covers can range anywhere from $25 to several hundred dollars. A car cover's price may be determined by things like special features (such as mirror pockets), manufacturer, material, brand and size. When compared with the money you can save by protecting your car, you may decide that it’s worthwhile to splurge for a higher-quality car cover. Doing some research to investigate the manufacturer, including reading verified reviews, can help ensure that you’re investing in a product that’s worth its cost.

Anti-theft measures

Almost all car covers are opaque, obscuring your vehicle’s appearance to passersby. This can be especially helpful if you have a recognizably valuable car. Some car covers also come with a cable and lock set which can help increase the deterrence against thieves. Cable and lock sets can often be purchased separately and used interchangeably with other car covers.

Maintaining your car cover

A car cover is meant to provide a protective shell for your car; When it’s in use, it’s facing the same harsh conditions you wish to protect your car from. For that reason, it’s important to regularly inspect and clean up your car cover. Different materials will require different care, and always be sure to follow any manufacturer instructions. In general, shaking off dirt and debris and washing gently with a mild soap will adequately clean most covers. When the car cover is not in use, avoid dragging it on the ground and store it carefully.

Bottom line

The decision to buy a car cover is easy but choosing the right one can be a bit more complex. Typically, the place where you park your car most often will weigh heavily on your choice, as material can play a major role in a cover’s effectiveness. Once your car cover is chosen and installed, you can rest assured that it's helping to protect the value of one of your greatest assets.