Letting a car sit for long periods of time can potentially cause a lot of harm to your car, resulting in expensive repair bills.
But you can still maintain your vehicles condition by following a few key steps.
Here are Eurofit Autocentres Top 10 Tips on Maintaining your vehicle during a lockdown
-
Keep the battery charged by driving your car at least once a week
-Car batteries discharge over time, the easiest way to prevent a dead battery is to drive your car regularly. However, it is not a “one size fits all” question, as it depends on the initial condition of your battery, local climate, and whether you are parked indoors or outdoors.
-
Avoid flat spots on your tyres by driving your vehicle
- Tyres lose pressure over time! If your car sits for too long, the weight of the vehicle can cause flat spots to develop where the rubber meets the road. Tyres with flat spots can be disposed of and replaced at Eurofit Autocentres.
-
Choose your parking spot wisely
- Parking long term on a soft surface like dirt or grass allows moisture to travel up into your car’s undercarriage, that can cause rust. Finding a space on pavement is ideal, but if not, gravel is a good second choice!
-
Be mindful of what you park beneath
-If at all possible, try not to park your vehicle under a tree. Branches can fall, your car will be covered in leaves and debris, not to mention the bird faeces. All of these things can damage the paintwork on your car, which is not detrimental to your car’s health, but can be annoying.
- Leaving the handbrake on for an extended period of time can cause the brake pads and rotor to stick or fuse together. More often than not this isn’t a massive issue but should be avoided. Moisture is what causes the handbrake to stick, so avoid engaging it if it just rained.
-
Consider using a car cover
- A car cover can protect your cars paintwork from the elements, as long as you clean your car thoroughly before putting it on. Putting a cover on your dirty car can do more harm than good, since the cover can rub and scrape your paint over time.
-
Be wary of rodents that may take up residence in your vehicle
- Depending on where you live, your car may become a haven for rodents if it sits for too long. Keep your car running to prevent rodents and bugs from taking home in your car.
- Even though you aren’t driving as regularly as you used to, it’s very important to maintain your usual maintenance schedule. Make sure to change your oil at proper intervals and check your cars brakes.
-
Once you start driving more frequently, give your car a visual once over
- After driving your car every so often for months, it’s a good idea to briefly inspect your vehicle to make sure its still road worthy. Be sure to check your tyre pressure, oil and coolant levels, go easy on your brakes for the first couple of drives as they may have seized over time.
-
Wax and seal to protect your paint
- If you want to go the extra mile in protecting your paint, wax and seal your car before putting it away. That’ll help protect your paintwork, even in the face of dust, twigs and everything else that the next few winter months will throw your vehicles way.
