Everyone knows a car performs best when it’s driven regularly. However, with the increase of people working from home, vehicles across the country are not getting used as much. As such, many of them are sitting idle in garages or on streets and are running the risk of not being able to turn on when needed.
If this situation sounds a lot like yours, we’ve gathered a few tips on how to care for an unused car so that you can avoid costly repairs down the road!
1. Protect it against bad weather
The first thing you should check is to make sure your car is protected against the elements. Winter’s cold can cause a car to rust and lose gleams, whereas hot summers can make the paint blister. To prevent this from happening, make sure your vehicle has proper protection before it sits idle for any length of time. If you can, we recommend parking it undercover. If that’s not possible, invest in a good quality cover.
2. Take care of the battery
Ensure the battery is charged before the car sits idle. If it’s not, there is a risk of corrosion and leakages as batteries aren’t as good as they used to be. It’s best to avoid draining it completely and go for regular charging instead.
3. Warm up the engine regularly
Just like in an actual engine, the oil inside the engine needs to circulate regularly to keep it lubricated. To do that, it’s best to start up the engine once or twice a week for about ten minutes so that the pistons can move freely and lubricate all of its parts. This prevents rust from forming on the valves and bearings.
4. Clean your vehicle thoroughly before leaving it unused
If you don’t do this, dust will cover your vehicle’s surface and eventually lead to rust formation. Use a good quality wax to protect it from the elements, but be mindful not to use too much wax, as it may trap the dirt inside. It’s best to go for a spray-on wax or anti-rust paint which you can buy locally.
5. Check your tyre pressure
Tyres are just like any other part of your car. If you don’t use them for a long time, they will lose their shape. A car that is stationary for a long time is also at risk of developing flat spots on the tyres. If that happens, be sure to pump up the pressure regularly to keep them in shape. A car that is stationary for a long time is also at risk of developing flat spots on the tyres.
6. Take it for regular drives!
This last tip is the most important one to ensure that your car runs smoothly once you want to use it on a daily basis again. If you don’t drive it regularly, it can sometimes become a chore to get going again. To avoid this, have a short ride every week just to get the engine going and clean out its entire system. This keeps the engine in shape and ensures that when you need it, it will start up without any issues.
So there you have it! A few tips on how to care for an unused car so that you don’t end up with costly repairs and a damaged vehicle.