People who visit the beach often have a love and hate relationship with sand. They love the soft feel of the sand and the comfort it provides when going into the water. The only problem is that sand is seriously clingy. It travels with you everywhere and rarely wants to stay on the beach that it came from. Not only can this sand impact the body and interior of a vehicle, but it can have an impact on the exterior of a vehicle. Aside from cosmetic issues with dried sand, the small particles can actually cause a lot of damage to specific parts. If you visit the beach at least one a month in the summer, then it's a good idea to consider a variety of vehicle maintenance repairs.

Windshield Wipers & Fluid

As you drive through a beach parking lot, other vehicles can produce a lot of dust and sand. On the windshield of your vehicle, sand can get stuck on wiper blades and in the fluid outputs on the hood of the vehicle. If this occurs, it can create all kinds of problems in the future. If you use the wipers or fluid, it can cause functional problems for the wipers and clog up the fluid. During a maintenance check of your vehicle, you have the ability to get blades replaced and the fluid cleaned out. This will help keep your windshields clean and ensure that they stay that way throughout the summer and other rainy months.

Muffler & Underbody

Not only can sand cause problems for your vehicle, but so can the salt water that soaks up in it. One thing that you should be concerned about is deterioration due to the salt content in the sand. The mufflers and underbody of your vehicle can rust or wear away due to the salt and sand. During a maintenance inspection at a place like Jason's Auto Service, a mechanic can examine the underbody of your vehicle for any damage. These parts can be replaced so that problems do not occur in the future. Along with replacing the parts, a mechanic has the ability to add a protective coating to the bottom of your vehicle. This coating will help prevent salt and sand from causing any damage in the future. It allows you to go on as many beach trips without worrying about the underside of the vehicle.

Brake Systems

You would be surprised to learn about all of the crazy places that sand can end up in your car. One of the areas that you should be worried about is the brake system. If sand gets caught between brake pads then it can create a friction that damages the brake pad and causes it wear down more quickly. Another part of the brake system to be concerned about is the brake caliper. The calipers work with the vehicle rotors to help brake the vehicle in a smooth manner. If sand causes damage to the caliper, then the vehicle will not stop as smoothly as it did.

Vehicle Cameras & Sensors

Another area that sand can impact are vehicle cameras and sensors. A number of new vehicles use reverse cameras and sensors to help drivers navigate as they drive. The cameras are very small and it doesn't take too many sand particles to create interference or damage. A mechanic can examine all of the sensors on your vehicle. They can then proceed to replace or clean out the various areas as needed. Keeping these areas clean and operating is essential for the safety of the vehicle.

One or more of these elements can be examined by a mechanic during a single appointment. It's best to have these inspections before and after your beach traveling season.