Do you pamper your car, truck or SUV with a car cover? It needs to be considered by every new vehicle or collector car owner. Premium covers come with full warranties. With proper care they will last four or more years with constant use. One way to look at it is the average yearly cost. With proper care it costs $40 to $100 per year, but that's insignificant compared to the amount it saves you in vehicle restoration expenses or reduced vehicle resale value.

Choosing the best car cover for your climate and use needs is crucial. Be prepared to do some research, because there are numerous considerations to make. As an example, if you garage your car you will most likely need an indoor cover for dust, but when you park on the street you need outdoor protection. That's not all. Climate is also important, including winter weather conditions. You need to consider all factors.

A custom car cover for an average size car starts at about $175. On very large automobiles they can cost as much as $500, so be sure to do your homework and get the right one the first time. You are well advised to investigate the type of fabric that works best for your situation.

It may be necessary for you to make a few trade-offs in the material. If you can't do that, then be prepared to buy one for indoor use and another for outdoor use. The reason I say this is because a waterproof car cover is not conducive to indoor use. They are very bulky. The trade-off here is to pick a fabric that's breathable and light enough to use inside and has the ability to hold up to outdoor use in mild weather.

Still shopping for the product that's right for you? I feel for you. The wide selection of fabrics makes it a difficult decision. Let me assure you that doing the research is well worth the effort. Taking the time to understand how each fabric works to protect your car will help you.

It's time to change the subject just a little, because I have a question for you. Do you know when you should and shouldn't be covering a vehicle? There's one mistake I see lots of folks make, and it's covering a dirty car. I'm not talking about a very fine coat of dust, either. That's no big deal. On the other hand, when the outside of the car is grungy and you cover-up, your paint will start to look like the body shop guy took sand paper to it.

There's a simple solution. Here's what works best for me, and it's really easy. I dust my car with a California Car Duster. Have you ever seen one? They are fantastic. All it takes is one or two minutes and the dust and light dirt are gone. No kidding.

The way you use the duster is just like a Swiffer in the house. Shake it out before use, start at the top and dust away. You might be thinking you're too busy to do it, but let me tell you that it's actually a time-saver. It's quick and it keeps your car clean which reduces soap and water washing. That's a good thing, right?

In case you are concerned about the duster scratching your vehicle, I can promise you that it won't. With twenty-five years of use I've never had a problem, even on my black cars. That's because the dust mop is saturated in paraffin wax at the factory. The paraffin makes the mop work like a dust magnet. It works!

Here's something else that makes me clinch my teeth. It's watching most people put a cover on. Am I the only one, or have you seen people do this, too. I'm talking about the car cover jerks. Those are the guys who grab a corner and give it a good yank. No folding, either. It gets wadded up and tossed in the trunk. Being someone who appreciates automobiles, it makes me sad to see.

A car cover is made from yards and yards of fabric. When you take the time to neatly fold it and stow it properly, there's no issue. When you don't stow and use it properly you are forced to spin it around, slide it and twirl it all over the surface of your car. All of that swirling and twirling on the paintwork make swirl marks and causes light scratches. Removing them will cost you time and money.

There is a better way to do it that's fast and easy. It starts with a simple folding technique while the cover is on the automobile. Begin at the front by flipping the front edge towards the rear in meat folds that are approximately 12" to 18" wide. When you reach the middle, go to the back end and start folding from the rear to the middle. At this point you have a run of fabric that's neatly folded and you can roll it. Begin rolling on the passenger side and avoid sliding. Finishing on the driver's side and store your neat bundle.

To put it back on the automobile again, simply toss the bundle from the driver's side across while you hold the loose end. Next, unfold to the rear, then unfold to the front and secure the elastic. All that's required is a slight adjustment; never sliding or spinning to get it in place.

This brings me to the next point, and you might already be thinking about it. I'm talking about windy weather, and it brings with it the same issues as sliding the fabric over the surface, only worse. Be sure to be uncovered in windy weather. That's not to say you should be concerned about a light breeze. That isn't an issue. What you need to concern yourself with is sustained winds in excess of 20 MPH. Winds that high can cause very bad scuffing on your clear coat. Can you imagine the damage your paintwork will have if sand or dirt gets underneath from the wind?

There are some precautions you can take for light wind. In these cases I suggest using a wind control device to make sure the edges stay snug and secure. You'll need to follow the instructions for proper use. Each of the wind control mechanisms is a bit different.

Speaking of dirt under the cover, a dirty one is no different that having a dirty automobile. The ten dollar question is how do you clean it? One thing I know for sure, and that's it takes a commercial size washer to do it. Just be sure to use a tumble washer, because an agitator could cause damage and it's not covered by warranty.

There is one other way, and it's my preferred method. Plus, it's so simple and easy. The secret is to wash it while it's on your vehicle. Just make sure you use some common sense and wash the car beforehand. Then slip it on as usual and start washing with a bucket of car wash shampoo and your wash mitt. When the outside is clean, flip it over so you can wash the inside. Rinse it well and allow it to drip-dry for a while before you put it in the dryer on medium heat.

If you use one already, I hope what you have read has helped you to be a better car cover owner. If you don't use a custom car cover yet, they are one of the few car accessories that will keep your car in pristine condition. You just have to remember to maintain it and use it properly.