During these difficult times of lockdown and social distancing to protect ourselves from the spread of Coronavirus, we do not take out our cars that often. For most people, their cars remain idle in their garages for a long period of time. This can lead to deterioration of your car over time. Your car has many mechanical parts, and they need lubrication; otherwise, they can breakdown.
Maintain your car periodically so that the next you get in your car, it does not create any problem for you. There are a number of ways in which you can prevent this from happening.
Tip No 1: Ensure the Battery doesn’t die down
Make sure you start your car at least every three days in order to ensure that the battery does not die down. In some cases, you can also start and warm up your car for four days each week. This will help in avoiding battery discharge. The battery is a very important component, as you cannot start your car without it. If you anticipate that you will not be going out for a long period of time, then remove the battery and store it in a dry and cool place. Moreover, apply grease on the terminals to prevent rusting. Make sure the battery is fully charged, and water is at the optimal level.
Tip No 2: Handbrake
If you apply the handbrake or the parking brake over an extended period of time, the brake pads will eventually get stuck to the drums or discs. If this ends up happening, you can face inconvenience or trouble the next time you will drive. The best thing to do over here is to engage the car in the first gear and use wheel locks, a piece of wood, or brick to stop the car from moving.
Tip No 3: Park the car indoor
The best thing to do over here is to park your car indoor inside a garage. If you do not have a garage, then use a car cover to protect your car from dirt, dust, and rainwater. Make sure you get a quality car cover that is water-resistant. The dirt and dust can damage your car’s exterior paint if exposed over a long period of time. These precautions will also keep your car clean for the next time you will want to go out. Another tip here is to clean your car’s exterior thoroughly and apply a thin coat of wax or polish. This will keep moisture, dirt, and dust from damaging your car’s paint.
Tip No 4: Clean the Interior
Make sure you thoroughly clean your car before parking it. People tend to leave trash inside their cars like food items that can rot over time, giving a foul smell. After writing, these food items can leave stains on the seats or on the floor carpets that will be difficult to remove. After cleaning the car, spray some nice air freshener to keep the interior smelling nice for the next time you will get in. Apply a thin coat of polish on the dashboard to protect it from cracking in the heat.
Tip No 5: Flat Spots
Flat spots can develop, and sidewalls of the tires can crack if the tires are not inflated to the optimal pressure. Make sure the pressure inside all the tires is at the required pressure stated by the manufacturer. You can also prevent flat spots by moving your car a bit forward or backward once a week. Another way to prevent flat spots is to jack up the car so that the car is resting on jacks rather than the wheels.
Bonus Tip: Fuel Tank
The fuel tank can also start to rust over time due to moisture entering into it. Make sure the fuel tank is closed properly. Secondly, fill up the fuel tank and add some additives. This will prevent moisture from damaging your car’s fuel tank. Moreover, if the engine oil and oil filter have been used a lot, try to change them before parking the car for a long period of time. Old and used up engine oil has moisture and other substances that can damage your car.
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