04/27/2020
You are working hard to keep yourself and your family healthy, here are some quick tips to keep your car healthy too.
When a car sits for longer periods there are just a couple things that are likely to occur that can be easily prevented.
• Batteries can lose charge or go low
• Tires may lose some air or get flat spots
• Weak seals or gaskets may start to seep fluids
Far and away, the most important thing you can do is drive the car at least once a week for 20 minutes (or longer if your car has a lot of high tech) to ensure that the battery is charged and everything gets circulated, heated up and dried out. A shorter drive is unlikely to be helpful as it may not be enough to put the needed charge back into your battery. If you park outside, this will also provide a chance to wear the rust off the brake discs and keep the calipers from seizing by using them, as well as discourage any rodents who may have found it a safe and convenient place to hang out. Also, driving is a good solo activity, and is a great way to shake off some of that cabin fever!
While in the car, check for any food, snacks, beverages, or disinfectant wipes that were left behind. Even better: Also vacuum the carpet. These steps can reduce the risks of mildew and unpleasant odors from developing
Do I need service even though I am not driving much?
For those of you who will have limited need to drive for a while, stretching out service intervals makes sense. A few hundred extra miles or weeks between service visits won’t compromise your otherwise well-maintained car. If there is a true mechanical problem and/or your check engine light is on, please give us a call and we will triage over the phone how important it may be to handle now vs later.
If the car has been sitting for a while already it’s a good idea to pop the hood and check/top off the fluids and the next time you get gas to take a quick peek at your tire pressures. (If these are not things you are comfortable with, or just don’t prefer doing, we would be delighted to do this for you. Stop by anytime and if you would rather not come in just give us a call from the drive and we will step out and take care of it for you). While the hood is open, check around for any signs of rodent activity. If you do see some, leaving the hood open (if you're allowed in your neighborhood) makes your engine bay a lot less of a safe haven for the varmints. There are several different solutions out there, from sonics to smells that have some effectiveness and a google or amazon search will point you to one that will work best for your circumstance.
Stay safe and call us if you have any questions. We are here to help!
