Empire Covers Blog

Daylights savings time is almost over, which means it will be lighter out later in the morning and into the evening. Although this time can bring some of the best weather of year for us, your car can become damaged by the sun’s harmful UV rays caused by extended hours of sunlight. Over a period of about six months, usually March-September, your car’s exterior and paint can corrode over this time due to the long periods of sunlight it is exposed to.

Your car’s paint finish breathes and even has pores. In the hot sun the paint’s pores expand and can absorb more dirt and moisture. Imagine having to stay outside all day in the beating sun without any sunscreen or shade. Our skin burns, dries out, and takes days or weeks to heal. Similar to skin, over time the exterior of a car can wear down, fade, peel, and rust when exposed to water. There are preventative steps you can take however, to ensure your paint and exterior lasts to its potential.

There are a many products on the market that you can use to both prevent and treat sun damage. One of the most popular products is a rubbing compound used to polish out blemishes. It’s used to remove fine scratches, oxidation, coarse swirl marks, and water spots. There are also polishes and waxes you can use on a regular basis to prevent sun damage from happening to your car. In the case of extreme sun damage, you can re-paint your car, which costs thousands of dollars.

The interior of your car can also be greatly affected by the sun. The sun is attracted to dark material and can severely damage materials like leather. Collapsible sun shades are the most popular type of interior sun protection. They can significantly decrease the temperature of your car and block harmful sunlight. Car window shades are also popular and can be used while driving.

If your car spends a significant amount of time outside, no matter what climate it’s in, you should consider protecting it with a car cover. Not only will a cover protect your car from sun, it will protect it from rain, bird droppings, dust, and mold. By covering your car, you can prevent all kinds of damage at a fraction of the cost it would be to fix it. At Empirecovers.com, our best covers for sun protection are the Max and the Premier. They are both UV treated and will protect against sun for many years. The max comes with a lifetime warranty and the Premier is covered for 5 years. Buy one at Empirecovers.com today and take advantage of our Sun Covers Sale!

Over the past six months or so, Toyota has recalled over 8.5 million vehicles.  This has lead to safety concerns for both Toyota owners, as well as others on the road.  If something happens to a car while driving, the chanced of it hitting/affecting others are high.  One of the Toyota recalls was due to floor mats not being secured, causing them to slip under the brake and fuel pedals while driving.  At empirecovers.com, we care about your safety and strive to make products that meet the top standards.  If you have any concerns, please let us know and we would be happy any questions you may have about our products.

While at the Philadelphia Auto Show this year, one of the cars we saw the most of the was the Ford Mustang. One of the most popular American cars ever made, the Mustang has changed a lot since it first came out.  Still true to its roots, however, the 2010 Mustang was a hit at this years auto show. At Empirecovers.com, you have find tons of different covers and accessories for your or a loved one’s Mustang.

Last Tuesday, Empirecovers.com went to the Philadelphia Auto show to check out the latest and greatest the auto industry has to offer in 2010.  The following blogs are going to highlight some of the different vehicles that were on display.  Overall, the car show had many different cars in all shapes, sizes, and MPGs.  Yes, MPGs  seems to be the top priority of the Auto companies, according to the concept cars and new models on the floor.  Some of the new models were electric cars, which require a plug in for electricity.  Others were hybrids that a more sophisticated than their predecessors.  Some of the most impressive cars included Dodge’s new Challenger and the Corvette Sting Ray.

Although most winter storms don’t produce this much ice, it is still a hassle getting ice off your car, especially early in the morning when it’s the coldest outside.  There are ways, however, to help make this process a little easier for you.  First, turn your car on and your defroster on low but high heat.   Then, clear the car of any snow.  After that, spray a defrosting solution on the surface of the car.  Lastly, scrape the ice off with a scraper or a credit card.

If scraping is not for you, there are other easier and less time consuming alternatives to this.  A car cover is a great way to prevent ice from building up on your car.  At EmpireCovers.com, we sell covers that will protect specifically from water and snow.  If a layer of ice does build up on the car, you can pour some hot water on your car to melt it.  Check out our selection of covers at Empirecovers.com and end your ice problem today!

Check out this unique ride. The body is all fiberglass and it’s all fully customized and ready to ride. The paint is hand rubbed which gives it an amazing shine. If this was my ride I’d be sure to protect it with a car cover. I’m sure they get a ton of attention while driving around town.

There are many benefits to covering your car, including enhancing the exterior and increasing its life.  If you have to park your brand new mustang outside, covering it will protect it from the many dangers of the external environment.  Rain, snow, wind, dust, and other environmental factors will be significantly less harmful.  At Empirecovers.com, you can choose from many different covers, depending on what your specific needs are for your mustang.   Check us out today and we’ll offer your a special discount just for you and your Mustang.

Although this is dirty car is being turned into a work of art, most filthy cars don’t make it out so well.  If you are concerned about your car getting dirty, or if want to make sure your paint stays in good condition, then a car covercar cove is for you.  Protect your car in all kinds of weather, whether you need it from snow, rain, or dust like this car, we’ve got you covered.

The SEMA car show is one of the most popular of its kind in the world.  There you will find the latest models of cars, trucks, and SUVs.  Most of vehicles you will see there are specialty, or after market.  Although most of the cars you see there will never make it to the road, we at Empirecovers.com specialize in ones that do.

Winter can be a wonderful time filled with holiday cheer and snowflakes. It can also be extremely harsh. Plants, humans, animals, and even cars feel the brunt of winter furry. Although it may not seem like it, Old Man Winter can be incredibly cruel to your vehicle. Aside from ice build up, fluids and hoses can freeze up, not to mention those cold leather seats at 7 am! There are a few precautions one can take in order to help prevent the damage that winter can do.

Most importantly, buy yourself a high quality, weatherproof car cover. We recommend the Empire Waterproof or the Max cover. Both of these car covers have high water resistance to block out snow and ice. (Note: In unusual circumstances, a layer of ice may form between your vehicle and the cover. This layer of ice must be thawed before removing your cover. You may expedite this process by pouring warm water over the cover and gently lifting it as the ice begins to melt. If any resistance occurs, repeat the process.) The cover can also be protected against wind by installing grommets that come with it. By tying it down, you can keep fierce winter winds from blowing your cover off.

Secondly, make sure your car is in working condition before winter sets in. A broken down car on the freeway in 30 below is never a pleasant experience. Also, be sure to ask your mechanic to flush your cooling system and replace the coolant. If you want to do this yourself, aim for a 50-50 mix of antifreeze and water inside the radiator. This way the mixture won’t freeze in cold temperatures. The cooling system not only works to keep your engine from over-heating in the summer, but it works to protect the engine against corrosion.

Making sure you can see should be a top priority to ensure safety. Replacing your windshield wiper blades is an easy way to improve your visibility on the road. Experts recommend that you change them once a year. Also, make sure your wiper fluid is full and to make sure your windshield doesn’t build up ice during a storm, try adding some antifreeze.

Get your oil changed. The oil in your engine will change depending on how hot or how cold the engine is running. Due to the fact that outside temperatures will have an effect on the internal temperature of the engine, be sure you have oil that will hold up when it is cold outside. A mechanic or your owner’s manual may recommend using a thinner, less viscous oil in the cold months.

When was the last time your checked the pressure of your tires? It’s extremely important because the traction on the tires keep you from sliding on frozen winter roads. Traction can be vulnerable in wet, icy, or snowy weather. In colder weather, the air in tires decrease, making you more susceptible to sliding on the road. Check your owner’s manual for target tire pressures.

These precautions are important to preventing damage and ensuring safety on the road, but the most important thing you can do is drive safely. Slow down and be aware of everyone on the road. Don’t let the weather bog you down this winter, take these steps to ensure you and your car’s safety.