As the Coronavirus pandemic started, So many people got detained at home. Most of them are working from home, which means less driving. But leaving your car unutilized for a long time can cause great damage to the car. Even if you don't drive the car, you have to do regular maintenance and check the engine from time to time. Let's talk about how to take care of your car in lockdown.
Taking care of your car in lockdown is not so hard. You just need to spare some time in the garage after weeks. You don't need to check the car every day. Here are 9 important maintenance tips you need to focus on to take care of the car:
1. Tires: Not driving the car for a long time would damage the Tires most. Tires hold the pressure of the entire car constantly. Not moving your car for over two weeks can manually deflate tires. It also gets worn & causes cracks under the tire. To prevent these problems you have to move the car once or twice a week. Take the car to the driveway, if you have one in your home. Or simply roll the Tires to keep it in shape. Keep the surface clean & grasses, fuel-free, or any other substances that can worsen the rubber.
2. Brake: Handbrakes are bent to rust when they are out of function for a long time. The brake pads get stuck into discs when it's not used for many days. Funny noises come from the brake when you use it after a month. Low friction can also happen. So you have to avoid engaging Handbrake. Park your car in first gear to prevent engaging brakes. The best will be to use wheel chocks, a piece of wood, or brick to keep it from rolling.
3. Battery: When you start your car after a long layover, it's pretty sure that the battery won't work. Unused car batteries last for two weeks. Car batteries generally die down in a month if it's dismounted. If you don't drive at all in lockdown, it's better to remove the battery. If the car is driven from time to time, start the car & run the battery for 10-15 minutes once a week. To prevent rusting, make a coat of petroleum jelly or grease to the wires ends & terminals. Check the battery indicator regularly. Charge the battery & keep it in a dry, cooler place.
4. Parking: Parking your car in a safe spot is a segment of car maintenance. It will be better if you park the car indoors or in a private parking spot. If not possible, park it somewhere easily accessible. It will protect the car from rain, strong wind & high temperature from sun rays. Place it under shade so that sun gleam is ejected. Direct sunlight will fade the paint job & the leather inside the car. Parking indoors will prevent dents & scratches. The engine will stay lubricated.
[Also Read: HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR CAR TO LAST MANY YEARS]
5. Fuel Tank: Leaving the car for over a month causes rusting inside the fuel tank. If the tank doesn't have enough fuel to fill the tank, the air above the fuel will coagulate. Inside the tank, it will cause dampness & start rusting the tank. To confine this situation you must fill up the tank to brim with fuel. In case your tank is not filled, make sure to check & clean the tank before you start the engine. Also, assure the tank is sealed properly.
6. Spark Plug: Spark plugs are dangerous enough to cause an abrupt casualty. Unused spark plugs become defiled & fouled. The electrodes also wear down. A cracked plug can cause misfires. So if you plan to leave driving for a long period, it's competent to remove the plugs. Spray oil to the sockets before putting the plugs again. Use a fuel additive to coat inside the engine.
7. Interior: When the car is left in the garage or a parking spot, it won't get good ventilation. So it's necessary to clean the cabin & other interior parts. Try to disinfect the cabin with a cleaner. Food wraps, leftover knick-knacks, dust & debris inside the seats must be cleaned properly. Vacuum the carpets & floor mats thoroughly. You can leave a window slightly open so that fresh air can flow through the window. It'll work as ventilation.
8. Paint Job: The paint of the car can easily fade by dust, strong wind, storm. The metal parts of the body can get scratches if you leave the car out for a long time. To confine the dents & scratches, coat it with a cover. Clean the exterior entirely. You can apply the synthetic coating for additional protection. Make sure that the metal parts of the car don't dank in water. It will rust the body of your car. You can also wax or seal the exterior parts.
9. Periodic check: We don't know how many days the pandemic will stay. It means you can't tell how many weeks or months you have to leave the car in the garage. So a periodic check once a month is good enough to keep your car safe. Examine the electrical machines & wires if any insects have cut the lines or created any blockage to the engine. Check the Tyres if they have any leakage. Observe the interior parts & engine if they have a bad odor or burnt.
So these are the main cachets you have to give priority while taking care of your car. In a lockdown, you may not be able to take the car to any repair shop. Your car dealership will probably be shut. So as much as you can do, do it carefully. Wear a mask & gloves before opening the electric parts or the engine. Engage the parking brake & block the wheel from both sides so that it can't move & create accidents. Following these simple rules, take care of your car on your own. Hope that your car will be OK and ready for any scenario.
