Car Covers...worth it?

[Twister97]

Over the past few years, I always tell myself I am going to get a car cover. My only drawback is that I hear horror stories about them, and how they can whip on the side of your vehicle causing paint damage and/or other unwanted happenings. Does anyone use them on a daily basis, and if so what is a good brand to use? I am kinda weary about the $49.99 models at Pep Boys and what not, for the price it seems like a blanket would just as suffice.

[HurstGN]

Depends on how you intend to use it. To cover a daily driver....I don't think it's worth using one on a daily driver. Way to much trouble for me personally.

I use tyvek covers on all my cars in storage. The tyvek covers keep ALL dirt and dust out, prevent moisture penetration when I was forced to use them outside once for a week. I had to park my 82 GN outside for a week one time. We had torrential rains, and winds of 70+mph. I didn't expect to see a covered car when it was all over. Luckily the cover was new and the elastic was fresh, the cover stayed in place and the car was clean and dry after the storms passed. This is what sealed it for me. I use these on black cars and have no issue with scratches at all. Best part the tyvek covers are inexpensive. I use Budge brand covers.

I had a cover from covercraft, the thick stuff with a waffle like pattern, and it let all kinds of dust and dirt through. And if that is parked outside, it repels water for a little bit, but if left wet, it will soak through and the vehicle is as wet as if it was never covered. I learned the hard way with these.

[Twister97]

Mainly I am going to use it for days where ice or snow is expected since I just drive my Explorer anyways. So would it be safe to let the vehicle be covered for a week to several weeks and not worry about anything else with a tyvek cover? I park at a weird angle in my driveway corner and the wind can swirl around causing more ice on the front/rear of the vehicle depending how I parked.

[BonneMe]

I think you're borderline on how long it's not being used at a time, to cover. If you get a lot of ice in your area it'll certainly be nice. Might even force you to drive the exploder more in bad conditions.

[HurstGN]

It is safe to use the tyvek covers for extended periods. Your main worry would be stuff getting blown up and under the cover if the wind swirls enough.

[shenandoah_walker]

I use a Budge 4 blue cover for my 96 Olds 88 when parked at work. Cuts inside temp from 140 or 150 deg F to 120 on hot, still days. Leather seats and dashboard have remained in good shape. Keeps paint aerosol from the industrial environment from settling on the paint on windshield. Takes about 1 to 2 min. to put on and likewise to store.

Autozone nameplated the Budge covers with the 5 year warrantee still advertised. You'll get 1 to 2 years at most with workday use. I've been able to convince one or two Autozone manages to back the warrantee with an in store replacement rather than send it back to Budge (not worth it.). Those days are over since Budge directly labels the box now.

Overall, I believe the interior and exterior are in better shape. My last car gathered a good bit of white paint specks, and the rear seat headrests faded after years of parking in direct sunlight. You might be the only one in the lot who covers his car, but once you're over the stigma, it can becomes a habit like anything else you do to make the car last longer.