AutoSport Catalog Since 1971
View Cart Cart: 0 items
Your Account  |  Login
 
Questions? Call Us. 800-953-0814
100% Satisfaction GuaranteePrice Guarantee
Quality Products
Fast Shipping
20 Days 20 Deals! Coming Soon!
20 Days, 20 Deals
Sign up now!
View Online eCatalogCatalog Center
Catalog Request
Sign Up for Email Specials
Sign Up
Sign up and get 10% off!
Product Search
search
Enter item # or keywords
Search By Vehicle
No saved vehiclesAdd A Vehicle For Search
Search By Category
AutoSport Exclusives
Bike Carriers
Car Care & Wax
Car Covers
Cargo Carriers
Chargers & Jumpers
Clothing & Personal
Dash Covers
Driving Comfort
Electronics & Navigation
Exterior Auto Accessories
Floor Mats, Cargo Liners
Garage & Parking Gear
Gifts & Gadgets
Safety & Security
Seat Covers
Tire Gauges & Inflators
Travel & Outdoors
Winter Travel
Clearance

Shop By Brand
WeatherTech Store
Covercraft Store
Thule Store
Yakima Store
Liqui Moly Store


Information
    Buying Guides
    Articles & Tips
    Custom Fit
    Semi Custom Fit
    FAQs
    Shipping Charges
    Gift Cards
    Government &
    Business Sales
    Media Inquiries
    FAQs for Canadian Customers Canadian Customers
  HomeBuying Guides >

How to select the right car cover

 

How to Choose the Right Custom-Fit Car Cover

If you're shopping for a car cover, you're making a very smart move. Your car is one of the biggest investments you'll ever make, and a car cover is a great way to protect that investment. A quality custom-fit car cover can:

  • Protect your vehicle's paint and interior from the sun's damaging ultraviolet radiation.
  • Keep bird droppings, paw prints, acid rain, leaves and other pollutants from damaging the finish.
  • Keep your car's interior cooler in the summer.
  • Save time and money by making washes and waxes last longer.
Choosing the right car cover is easy--once you know what you're looking for. There are two major things to keep in mind when you're shopping for a quality car cover:

First, will you be using the cover outside in the elements -- or in a garage? Some covers are designed for indoor/outdoor use, while others are specifically intended for garage-kept vehicles.
Car Cover
Second, you'll want to consider how often you're going to use the cover. Once a week? How about several times a day? A bulkier car cover may provide more protection against nicks and dings, but if it's too much of a hassle to put on, take off or store, you're probably not going to use it as often as you should.

At AutoSport, we know car covers, which is why we sell only the finest custom-fit covers from the industry's best manufacturers. If you have questions, our car cover experts are here to help. No matter what you're looking for, we've got a car cover to fit your needs, your budget and your vehicle.

Choosing the Right Cover For Your Needs
We carry an extensive line of top-quality covers, so choosing the right one is simply a matter of what you need--and even where you live. The chart below will help you find the best car cover for your vehicle.

Indoor/Outdoor Covers
Brand:NOAH TriShield WeatherShield Ultra Evolution4SilverSunbrella
Weather Protection BESTFAIRBESTBESTBESTBETTERBETTER
Dust ProtectionBESTBESTBESTBESTBETTERBESTFAIR
Ding ProtectionBETTERGOODFAIRBETTERBESTFAIRBETTER
Soft-TouchBETTERBETTERBESTBETTERBETTERGOODGOOD
PortabilityGOODBETTERBESTGOODFAIRBESTBETTER
Mildew ResistanceYESYESYESYESYESYESYES
Acid Rain ResistanceYESNOYESYESYESYESYES
Heat InsulationBESTBETTERGOODBETTERBETTERBESTGOOD
UV ProtectionBETTERFAIRBETTERBESTGOODBESTBEST
DurabilityBETTERGOODBETTERBESTBETTERBETTERBEST
StyleGOODBETTERBETTERBETTERGOODBETTERBETTER
MFRS. Warranty 4 years1 year 4 years 4 years 4 yearsLifetime 5 years
Indoor Only Covers
Brand:Form-FitTan FlannelDustop
Weather Protection N/A N/A N/A
Dust ProtectionBESTGOODBETTER
Ding ProtectionGOODGOODBEST
Soft-TouchBESTBESTBEST
PortabilityGOODBESTFAIR
Mildew ResistanceYESYESYES
Acid Rain ResistanceN/AN/AYES
Heat InsulationGOODGOODGOOD
UV ProtectionN/AN/AN/A
DurabilityBETTERGOODBETTER
StyleBESTGOODGOOD
MFRS. Warranty 4 years 120 days 4 years

Car Cover FAQ

Why do I need a custom-fit car cover? An ill-fitting cover can actually damage your car more than not having a cover at all. Any time wind gets under a cheap, loose cover (or tarp), all that flapping and shifting will scratch the car's finish. That can really hurt when it's time to sell or trade the car. It's also worth noting that a custom-fit cover is much easier on the eye!

Should I buy a waterproof car cover? Absolutely not! A good car cover fabric is water repellent, but not waterproof. Our quality covers have been treated with a DWR (durable water repellency) treatment during the manufacturing process, so they keep normal rain from penetrating. But the fabric also breathes, which allows condensation or other moisture to evaporate through the cover. Moisture that gets trapped under a waterproof cover can cause staining, mildew and, if left for an extended period of time, rust. Honestly, an uncovered car is better off than one that's kept under one of those ubiquitous blue plastic tarps.

How does Ultra Violet Radiation (UVR) affect car covers? Inexpensive, untreated car covers literally rot after only a year or so of use. Our car covers are far superior, because UVR-inhibiting chemicals are added during fabric production. The fabrics used in our covers are the finest available and are amply treated with UVR inhibitors, so they'll last for years.

What's the best way to fold a cover? Remove the cover from the front and rear bumpers and fold each side up to the center of the roof. Continue folding in this manner, until the cover ends up about 2 feet wide. Then, fold the front and then the rear to the center of the roof and continue folding to the center until the folded fabric is about 3 feet long. This method of folding prevents scratches caused by the cover dragging across the car.

What's the best way to install a cover? The exact opposite of removal: lay the folded cover on the roof of the vehicle and gently unfold it, front to rear and then down the sides. If the cover has mirror pockets, place those over the mirrors first. Then, gently pull the cover over the front and rear bumpers.

How should I clean my car cover? Keep your cover in a storage bag when not in use and don't be afraid to wash it. Dirt particles can compromise the water resistance of the fabric and also scratch the car's paint. Smaller, less bulky covers can be washed in a home washing machine, while larger covers may require a trip to a laundromat for a spin in a large commercial machine. Mild laundry detergents will not remove the UVR inhibitors or DWR treatment.

How should I dry a wet car cover? Since our car covers "breathe," the best way to dry a cover is to put it on a clean car and let the moisture evaporate through the cover. Only the WeatherShield® line is made to be dried in a clothes dryer. The others have synthetic fibers that could melt in the high heat.

Won't a cover cause my car to get really hot inside on summer days? Not at all. Parking in the shade blocks sunlight and helps keep your car cool. Putting on a car cover has the same effect--but you don't have to drive around looking for a shady spot. If the area's general level of security allows it, we also recommend lowering your windows an inch or two to allow air to circulate through the cover and the car.

How does snow affect my car cover? We recommend that you brush the snow off your car cover after it snows (or while it's snowing, if an especially heavy storm hits). Simply having snow on the cover isn't a problem, but if the snow partially melts in the sun and then re-freezes, the cover could become frozen to the car.

Any other hints or tips on car covers? We don't recommend using lock and cable mechanisms to secure your car cover, since there is a danger of the lock damaging your car in heavy winds. If your situation requires this added security, we suggest our AutoSport Silver Car Cover, which includes a protective pocket that keeps the padlock off your car's finish.

A note about the sizing chart in our print catalog: Here on our website, we'll give you the exact price on a cover for your vehicle's year, make and model. In our print catalog, however, we've given examples of vehicles and labeled them "Small," "Medium," etc. to give a general estimate of the prices. We work very closely with our manufacturers to determine the correct cover for each vehicle. Some vehicles, although smaller, have a more complex body shape and require a different price. Think of it like this: gift-wrapping a box is pretty easy… but gift-wrapping a football is a much bigger challenge!

Shop Now for Custom-Fit Car Covers.

Car Cover



Back to Buying Guides         View Articles and Tips Index


HACKER SAFE certified sites prevent over 99.9% of hacker crime.
AutoSport Catalog  |  PO Box 9036, Charlottesville, VA 22906  |  800-953-0814
© Copyright 2000-2009 International Auto Parts Inc.
Click to Verify