The climate in the UAE (and any other desert environment for that matter) can be extremely harsh on your vehicle. Sand, heat, exposure to direct sunlight can wreak havoc on your vehicle, but there are certain precautions that can be taken to reduce damage and ensure that your car has a long life and maintains its full value.
Sun damage should not be underestimated. Direct sunlight on the interior of your car can crack your dashboard or any vinyl or plastic items, fade leather, raise the interior temperature of your car enough to cause severe burns when getting in it. It is a good idea to invest in a reflective shield to cover your windshield. These block most of the damaging ultraviolet light from reaching your car’s interior and dramatically lower the interior temperature. Also, when allowable by law, the darkest window tint possible should be used. This too reduces the amount of sunlight that gets in your car and will help protect it. It is important to check local laws in this though, since dark window tint is not always legal and the laws tend to vary greatly between areas.
Though it is somewhat counter-intuitive, silicone based products like Armor All that are designed to protect your interior actually tend to dry out and cause more damage when exposed to intense heat and sun. These should be avoided, but interior elements can be cleaned with water or car-safe solvents.
Sand is incredibly abrasive and will ruin even the best paint job (this is the reason it is used for industrial paint removal), but there are steps that can be taken to reduce this damage. Waxing your car will provide a buffer between your paint and the elements, and should be done twice a week to maximize this protection. Some sands (depending on your region) also contain alkali salts, which are corrosive and can cause damage to all parts of your car, even sometimes leading to rust.
Perhaps the best way to protect your vehicle from the elements is to keep it out of them as much as possible. Investing in a covered car-port or a spot in a parking garage will completely eliminate sand and sun damage, though this is not always a practical or affordable option.
Good maintenance is important in any climate, but this is especially true in areas where extreme heat and cold are the norm. Fluids need to be changed more frequently than normal, and regular oil changes can dramatically lengthen the life of your car in the desert.
If you take the time to properly keep up with your car’s maintenance and keep it washed and waxed, then it will last a lot longer and keep a higher value in the at-times-harsh climate of the UAE.
