When storing a vehicle for any length of time, it may be important to cover it with a car cover, designed especially for the size, shape and body style of the vehicle. I've had a chance to try a few, among them the Evolution 3 fabric custom-fit car cover by Kimberly-Clark Corp. The Evolution 3 car cover, like most today, is naturally water-resistant, lightweight, and will not stretch, shrink or retain odors.

The fabric for this particular car cover is a four-layer, sonically bonded polypropylene. The two middle layers form a moisture barrier with large pores so air can circulate underneath the cover. The pores are small enough, though, to resist moisture from getting through.

Car covers can be purchased two ways: ready-fit or custom-fit. Locking cables come with both to discourage theft of the vehicle, or cover. Ready-fit covers are available in stock sizes to fit almost all cars. Car-length is the key factor in style differentiation.

Custom-made covers are made to fit the slope and contours of each individual car, including pockets to fit over special features such as luggage racks or mirrors. A little more expensive, custom covers have a better appearance, are easier to use and offer more protection through better fit. More than 18,000 patterns are available, fitting cars from the 1920s to the present.

When choosing a car cover for your vehicle, the ideal fabric is one that protects the exterior and interior of the car. Those fabrics might include cotton flannel, cotton/polyester, nylon, plastic and nonwoven fabrics. Those features you should consider when comparing car cover fabrics are breathability (to protect against trapped moisture and heat); water resistance (resistant to liquids and quick drying); softness (to prevent scratching, marrying or dulling of paint); thickness (to protect against nicks and scratches); shape retention (no shrinking or stretching); durability (resistance to tears, rips and punctures); and value (buy the best from the start).

The least expensive car cover material is plastic. Although it protects from dust and dirt, it can scratch a car's finish, remove wax and trap heat and moisture. The single-layer strength doesn't offer much protection from hail and nicks, may become brittle in cold weather and stretch in hot temperatures. Cotton/polyester covers offer a little better protection, are much softer and less likely to scratch or damage the finish. It has breathability, but lacks repellency.

Nylon covers may fade, become stiff and possibly remove wax, causing harm to a car's finish. They only have single-layer strength, and offer minimal hail and nick protection. Nylon also has a short life span.

Nonwoven fabrics specifically developed to provide breathability and water resistance are a good alternative. These covers are effective in protecting a car's finish and reducing interior temps. They're lightweight, won't stretch or shrink, and are generally soft and pliable.

When the sun is out, its heat and ultraviolet rays really can offend your car's exterior by fading, dulling and oxidizing the paint. And because interior temperatures can climb as high as 195 degrees Fahrenheit, the heat can dry and crack leather, as well as break down any foam padding and adhesives. It also can damage computer circuits and boards, components, tapes and discs. The UV rays deteriorate rubber moldings and weather stripping, and discolor interior fabrics.

As the warm weather approaches, it pays to re-emphasize the following: