8 Important Things When Buying a Car Cover

Posted: November 12, 2023

A car cover is an essential piece of protection equipment for your vehicle. It doesn't matter what type of car you drive, whether a muscle car or a jalopy: it still needs to be protected from the elements. Inside your garage, or outside in your driveway, with a top-quality car cover you'll know your car is safe from the blistering sun, rain, sleet or dust. The outdoors can be especially hard on your vehicle. It is exposed to the danger of rust and watermarks. The paint job of your car can be damaged, too – standing in the sun will fade the color, leaving your car unnecessarily aged.

If you want to protect your car, no matter where you store it, choose a top-quality car cover. Not all car covers are created equal, and it is a good idea to check out a couple of things before you make your decision. Carefully selecting the car cover for your vehicle will save you money in the long run.

Let's have a look at some of the important features to look for when buying a new car cover.

Sturdy, durable cable lock

The car cover that you choose should, and most likely will, include a cable lock. Robust, durable and strong, the cable lock is an anti-theft mechanism for the cover. The cable itself is typically made from high strength steel, with a weatherproof brass lock. The car cover, along with the cable lock, ensures that your vehicle's contents are out of sight. If a would-be burglar cannot see what is inside your vehicle, he is less likely to try to break in. When the cable lock is in place with the car cover, a thief would be forced to damage or destroy the cover if they were to take it, often deterring such attempts completely.

The cable lock will also ensure that your car cover stays in place during high winds or a storm. The cable is threaded through the 2 grommet holes pre-installed on the cover at the bottom center of the cover. If your car cover doesn't have these 2 holes, it is easy to make the right sized holes to thread the cable through.

We offer top quality car covers that include both the cable and the lock. Lost your cable lock? Or maybe you need an extra cable? You are invited to purchase them from our website.

Convenient storage bag

So why bother with a storage bag? You take care of your vehicle, spending weekends and spare time waxing and vacuuming it. This is one of the reasons why you have purchased a car cover in the first place – to help protect your car and keep it in great condition. Your car cover also needs to be cared for. If it is not in use, do you crumple it up and toss it in your garage? It must be kept clean and free or dirt and dust when not in use. The easiest way to do this is to keep it in a storage bag. An important accompaniment to your car cover, it protects it and keeps it safe from damage. Simply fold up the car cover when it is not in use and place it in its storage bag. When you use the storage bag, the car cover takes up less space in your garage or in your car's trunk. Indeed, the storage bag will ensure that the car cover does not rip and is ready for use the next time you need it. It also ensures that it will last a long time. Bear in mind that not all car covers are sold with a storage bag. However, you'll be pleased to find that each of the car covers we sell come with a free storage bag. If, for some reason, you have lost yours, or wish to purchase a replacement, you can do so directly from our website.

Handy antenna patch

So, what is an antenna patch? Sounds a little futuristic! The antenna patch is an innovative idea that is perfect for vehicles that have a non-retractable antenna. Usually, when you purchase a car cover, there is no available hole for this type of antenna. You'll have to make the hole yourself so that the car cover will cover your entire vehicle, except the space that the antenna will stick through. The antenna patch is placed at the perimeter of the hole you have made. This is so the hole does not get any bigger while you use the car cover. It will also protect the hole from ripping during a strong wind, or keep rainwater from entering the hole.

The antenna patch is easy to install. It is usually made from the same material as the car cover, and when installed continues the uniformity of the car cover. The antenna patch is, on the front side, the same fabric as the car cover. Its reverse side is self-adhesive. All that is needed is for you to mark where the antenna is on your car cover, make the hole, and then add the self-adhesive patch to the exact area.

We provide free antenna patches with our excellent quality car covers. It is also available, should you need one, for purchase directly from our website.

Integrated buckles and straps

Nowadays, integrated buckles and straps are becoming a popular feature of car covers. The purpose of these straps and buckles is to ensure that the car cover stays on your vehicle. If there is an extremely high wind, you want to know that your car cover will stay on your car. Simply tighten the straps and the buckles to ensure a perfect, snug fit. In this way, you can rest assured that your car will remain protected by the car cover, no matter the speed and strength of the wind. The straps and buckles also ensure that the car cover fits properly, holding the shape of the cover in accord with the shape of your car.

There is no point in having a car cover if the slightest gust of wind blows it from your car, leaving it exposed. When you are choosing your new car cover, make sure that it includes the buckles and straps (ours do) as they cannot be added. This is because they are a part of the car cover. All our car covers include the integrated buckles and straps. That is, all except the satin shield car cover. This is because the satin shield car cover is intended for indoor use. A car cover that is used indoors does not need additional tightening protection from wind. It fits the vehicle snugly and will remain snug while in use without needing buckles and straps.

The importance of cover weight

Why would one need to check the weight of a car cover before choosing? The cheaper, and not-so-great quality car covers on the market are usually too thin and too light. A thin car cover is likely to sustain damage easily. It is also not likely to provide sufficient protection for your car. The best quality car covers that are available are usually around 8 – 12 pounds, depending on the car's length. A car cover also shouldn't be too heavy, as this is less convenient to store and transport. A heavy car cover is a little more difficult to put on to your car. This is especially inconvenient if you elderly or handicapped. Ideally, the best weight for a car cover is 10 pounds or less.

We offer excellent quality car covers that weigh between 8 and 12 pounds depending on the size of your vehicle. The cheapest car cover we have on offer is a little lighter than the previously mentioned at between 4 and 7 pounds, depending on the size of the car. The weight of the lightweight car cover plays a role in its effectiveness, ease of use and quality.

Lifetime warranty

As with any product you purchase, warranties are an important aspect of your investment. In the car industry, a vehicle's warranty varies from a 1-year to a lifetime warranty. It is noted that on average, car owners keep their cars for around 6 years. It is sensible then, to ensure that you have a warranty of at least 5 years, as you will likely be keeping your car for at least that long. While this is a minimum, longer is obviously more desirable. You'll be pleased to note that when you buy a car cover from us, you'll receive a lifetime warranty for that cover. Excellent value for money coupled with excellent quality – and we back it up.

When will you receive it?

Another important aspect that should not be overlooked is the length of time it will take for your car cover to be delivered. Preparing for the winter months is an important part of our lives. If the hurricane season or rain weather is approaching, you'll want to be sure that you receive your car cover before the foul weather starts. Or, perhaps you have bought a car cover as a gift for a loved one: will it arrive in time for the birthday? When you choose your car cover, make sure that the company you decide on has, firstly, the item you choose in stock, and secondly, a quick delivery and handling time. Of course, a 24-hour delivery timeline is ideal. Yet it is an unfortunate fact that many companies do not have sufficient stock on hand and have to order more before they can send you yours.

We ensure that all our car covers are in stock. We can also ship the very same day you order your car cover. When you order your car cover from us, proceed through checkout before 1pm for the possibility of same day delivery. We offer 2 delivery methods: express shipping and regular shipping. If you order your car cover and opt for the express delivery method, you can expect your car cover to arrive within 2 business days at most. The regular shipping option will have your car cover at your doorstep within 4 business days.

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Make an informed purchase

Choosing your next car cover isn't complicated. There are, however, a few points to remember to make your investment smooth and stress free. Your car cover is meant to protect your car, regardless of whether it is parked outdoors, or in a garage. A car cover that will protect your car is one that cannot be removed easily by any potential burglar. Choose a car cover that comes with cable locks to ensure safety. A car cover shouldn't be too heavy or too light either. The lighter car covers tend to be flimsy and are not that great at protecting your car. The ideal weight, depending on the length of your car, is around 8 – 12 pounds.

Keeping the car cover on your vehicle is also something that should be taken in account. One with integrated buckles and straps is perfect for keeping the car cover in place. Remember as a kid being told to take care of your toys and put them away when you were done with them? Well, the same applies to adult toys: your car and its cover. To ensure that is safe from harm and is easy to transport, the cover should come with a storage bag. An antenna patch is another essential aspect of your new car cover. With an antenna patch, you won't have to worry about making the hole for the antenna. It will ensure that the cover does not tear after the hole is made. You wouldn't purchase a new fridge without a warranty. Then, by the same token, you shouldn't purchase a new car cover without a warranty either. The best warranty is a lifetime warranty. Last but not least, consider the amount of time it will take for your new car cover to be delivered to you. Nobody likes waiting, especially for an item which can be so essential. Find out how long it will take for your new car cover to reach you.

Keep these considerations in mind when you are planning on buying a new car cover. If you do, you will find that CarCover.ca meet all your criteria. Moreover, our prices are highly competitive, and we are proud of and confident in the excellent quality of our covers.