29 Oct How to take care of your car if you are not using it often
In the current situation, thousands of motorists who have been working from home since March have gone from a daily commute to using their car once a week.
If one of the main advantages is fuel economy, it turns out that using a vehicle very little may not be such a good thing after all.
Here are some tips to minimize the potential negative effects on your vehicle.
Where you park
If possible, park in a covered and enclosed area. Otherwise, avoid parking under a tree (pollen, branches, bird droppings). Also find a location that is as level as possible and do not use the parking brake as it may be difficult to remove after a while.
The use of a cover to protect the vehicle’s bodywork can also be considered.
Battery
When a car is used very little, the risk of the battery losing its charge is increased, regardless of whether the vehicle is new or old.
While it is possible to unplug it on some models, it may be inadvisable to do so for others. Doing so may risk losing electronic settings. The ideal is therefore to connect the battery to a charge maintenance system to maintain the performance level of the battery.
If this is not possible, it is recommended to run the engine at idle once a week for about 15 minutes.
Tires
Even if you don’t use your vehicle, the tires still wear out. In addition, they lose their pressure.
It is also recommended to move the car slightly by half a turn of the tire to modify the pressure on them and avoid deforming them in the long-term.
Fuel tank
Keep the tank half full to avoid the formation of layers of particles, deposits, and dust at the bottom of the tank as well as condensation which, in high doses, can be harmful to the engine.
Cabin
Allow air to circulate by opening all vents. Also make sure that the windows are fully closed, including the sunroof.
Occasionally open the windows to change the air and prevent moisture build-up.
Brakes
One of the problems that can arise when a car is used very little is the surface corrosion that can be created in the brakes. You must therefore be very careful since this can reduce their performance and lengthen braking distances.
A little tip: When driving, brake hard a few times to remove this film making sure, of course, that no one is following you closely.