Allergy season is back early, and with searches for ‘car pollen’ increasing by 180% compared to this time last year, many Brits are looking to pollen-proof their cars before their next journey.
For the 49% of Brits who suffer from hay fever, watery eyes and sneezing are an irritating reality. However, when you’re behind the wheel, these symptoms can be dangerous. A single sneeze on the motorway could leave your eyes closed and off the road for up to 103 metres.
So, to help make driving safer and more enjoyable this summer, motoring experts at Vertu Motors have revealed five tips to pollen proof your car.
Vacuum your car’s interior
Each time you get into your car, pollen can blow in or transfer from your clothes to the interior.
Once in your car, pollen can become embedded, particularly in the soft fabrics of seats and headrests. To remedy this, give your car interior a good hoover, paying close attention to the seats, headrests, and carpets.
And to remove any pollen lingering on the surfaces, wipe down the dashboard and internal doors with a dry cloth first, followed by a damp cloth with a warm water and dish soap mix.
Change your car’s air filter
Most cars made after the year 2000 come fitted with a pollen filter, and these are great for catching the particles before they get into your car.
However, these filters can fill up pretty quickly. So, to keep your car pollen free, it’s best to get them changed every 12,000 to 15,000 miles.
And keep a look out for signs that you may need a new air filter as well. If you notice reduced airflow in your AC, excessive window fog, and lingering bad odours in your car then it is time to get them replaced.
Wash your car’s exterior
Don’t just focus on your car’s interior – pollen will stick to the outside of your car and can find its way inside if not addressed.
During the summer months, you should wash your car a couples times a week to prevent pollen build up. And a simple water wash with a hose or a bucket will do the trick.
What’s more, waxing your car a couple times a month creates a slick surface that’s harder for pollen to stick to. Because of this, waxing your car may mean you need to wash it less often as well.
Clear your AC vents
Your AC is an essential tool for staying cool during summer without the risk of triggering those allergy symptoms, so keeping it clean is a must. Cleaning your AC vents should be done every month, but you can do this more regularly if you feel your allergy symptoms are becoming an issue.
You can do this yourself by unscrewing and wiping the grills before gently vacuuming inside the vent. However, most experts will clean these for you as part of a summer check package.
Keep your windows closed
While a summer breeze may feel refreshing, an open window is the easiest way to let pollen into your vehicle. So, it’s best to keep all windows closed to avoid allergy-triggering pollen getting inside.
Instead, use your cars AC to fight off the sweltering temperatures car interiors can reach during summer. In fact, you’ll likely find you stay cooler in the summer heat this way too.
