Is it worse to park under a lot of trees or far away in direct sunlight for your car? (headlights, police)

[Mighty_Pelican]

I am headquartered in a large multi story office building leased by multiple organizations. My colleagues all park on one side of the building, full of trees. I don't like parking on that side because the tree sap, pollen, various debris, bird droppings, etc result in the need to wash the car more often. Instead, I park on the other side of the building with no trees and walk a further distance to get to my office. Also, one tree fell down close to our building last year.

Recently, someone from another office confronted me and asked why I didn't park on "my side". I told him the above, and he said that long term I am actually doing more damage to my finish and interior by parking in broad daylight.

Now granted, someone in the building complained about the way I leave the property, I still don't know who. So now I only go at a 15 mph snail pace in high gear through the property. I don't know if this guy is trying to scam me or if it is the truth. Thoughts?

[NHDave]

Have you had a recent post where someone wasn't complaining about your poor driving style?

[Me007gold]

I think you need to stop driving like a jerk.

[alpha_1976]

why do people confront you so much? It's really unbelievable. A police officer (when not on duty ) goes to your office and warn you about how you drive. A day goes in between and now this gentleman takes issues where you park even though he had no apparent reason to confront with you

[Garthur]

New paints and interior materials can withstand the sun for 5-10 years without suffering any damage. However, repeated washing in a automatic car wash can do surface damage to the paint.

So, if I worked there I would be parking on the sunny side.

BTW squirrels have been known to do all kinds of damage to cars wiring. If you park near trees, expect the squirrels to be under the cars. People with squirrel damage sometimes don't even know it until one day the car doesn't start. I have had several cars where the problem ended up being cut wires or chaffed wires (cause unknown), but it was squirrels.

[Arcenal813]

You "only" go at 15mph through an office complex parking lot??? How fast were you going before? Even 15mph is EXCESSIVE!!!

[blazerj]

I'd think bird poop and tree sap are worse for a car than sunlight.

[sonarrat]

I would do what you do. Being in the sun also keeps any mold/mildew from surviving in the car's interior, because it grows much faster in the shade.

[BostonMike7]

Sunlight does wreak havoc on headlights though.


My last car was black, and I had it 10 years before getting rid of it. The black paint aged well, but the headlights were badly oxidized.


I now park where there is afternoon shade. I'm not directly under the tree, so I don't deal with sap and bird crap, but the last 2-3 hours of the work day, the car is in shade. So when I leave, it's not blazing hot inside.

[Vasily]

Try parking under a mulberry tree with fruit on it and watch the bird poop eat your car's finish away.