With almost all of us in lockdown, our vehicles have been left unused. And with life getting back to normal for many people, getting back to the daily commute will require a thorough check on how our cars have been doing. After sitting mostly unused for several months, you need to make sure your car is safe to take back on the road. Vehicles left on their own can cause severe issues with their well-being. And just like responsible people, we need to do our best to prevent the spread of the virus, as responsible owners, we also need to take the best possible care for our vehicles.
A quick look at how to keep your car up and running:
1. Keep Your Car Clean
Cleaning your car daily is a wise option if you have a dedicated parking place. If not, it should be cleaned thrice a week without disregarding any social distancing and lockdown rules. For the car, start the air conditioner and get rid of the dust particles in the cabin—systematically clean interior and the exterior to avoid the bacteria, smell, and rust, if any. Use a damp cloth to clean the car, and leave the windows and doors open for the car to dry out completely. Ensure that are no perishable items left inside or near your vehicle, or else it will attract rodents, which can do severe damage.
2. Maintain the Car Battery
Your car's battery can discharge if it sits for long periods– We recommend you drive your car for at least 20 minutes a week to help maintain its battery life. It means going for a drive to let the car run and function to avoid any hiccups later. This exercise will help your battery run and your engine as a whole. If your car battery is dead, consult your car owner's manual. Cars built after the year 2000 are more sophisticated and have more digital devices – so jump-starting a newer car can ruin those expensive computers. And if you know you're not going to be driving it for a while, disconnect the battery.
3. Avoid The Use Of Handbrakes and Keep The Vitals Of The Car Well-Lubricated
Prolonged parking without any driving can jam the handbrakes. Corrosion can often jam the moving parts, and disengaging the handbrakes can become very difficult after a few weeks. Therefore, engage the first gear of your car first and follow the traditional way by putting a brick or a stone in front of the tyres to stop the car from moving. To prevent any fatigue and wear-and-tear of your essential parts, lubricate parts like suspension, engine, hood, deck-lid, clutch, and brake, etc. at least once a week.
4. Prevent Flat Tyres
Keeping your tyres well inflated can help prevent the flat spots in them. Low tyre pressure and the weight of the car cause the tyres to develop flat spots where the tyres meet the road's surface. A car not driven for a month or even more can develop flat spots in them. Check your car's manual for your tyres' recommended tyre pressure. Also, driving your car periodically can help prevent flat spots too.
6. Try and Seal All Vents, Valves, and Ports
Rats and rodents are not on lockdown and may find parked vehicles an excellent place to hide and burrow. Use tape or a simple cloth rag to block all the ports, vents, valves, cylinder heads, and exhaust ports to avoid the damage. Remember to unblock the exhaust ports if you decide to start the car.
7. Top Off The Fluids
It's a good practice to check your car's fluids regularly- engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and fuel. If your car hasn't been driven for a long time, the oil may settle, and the fuel can get separated, which may lead to engine issues. Driving the car to get the engine oil up to the adequate temperature helps cut the moisture in the oil for longevity. Check if your car dealer is open for any light maintenance.
8. Keep Up With Your Insurance & Documents
Make sure to check the details of your car Insurance and its renewal dates. Since your vehicle has been parked for a long duration, it is advised not to leave necessary papers in. It is better to keep it at your home and carry it with you when the lockdown eases up, or carry them in your vehicle for emergencies.
Conclusion
A few simple steps that we have listed above will ensure that our vehicle is taken care of. The best solution to maintaining your vehicle during the coronavirus pandemic is to drive it whenever possible. Starting your vehicle and letting the engine run to operating temperature circulates the oil in the engine and ensures that the system is lubricated. Also, drive for at least 20 minutes once every week, to charge the battery, move the tyres, use the A/C, and remove surface rust from the rotors. Whether it's to commute to an essential job, make a grocery store run, or take a trip once the lockdown is over, these preventive maintenance tips will help keep your vehicle safe and running. Stay safe, stay indoors, and take care of your car and yourself!