With an ongoing pandemic, it makes sense not to go out and do everything at home instead. Your company probably lets you work remotely anyway. If you own a business, you can run it from the comfort of your home. As long as you have the right tools to offer better customer experience or partners to sustain your supply chain, your business can stay afloat. But what does it all mean for your car?
Car maintenance may not be on top of your worries these days. But cars are meant to be driven, and tucking them into your garage for weeks or months may not be the best idea. Here are some preventive measures you can take to make sure you won’t have a problem when you hit the road again.
Move it once every other week
Even if it’s just up and down your driveway, driving your car for a few minutes can help circulate fluids in the vehicle. This way, you prevent gaskets and rubber parts from drying out and failing. If you’re a multicar family that currently limits grocery trips, make sure to do this upkeep for your other cars that now rarely hit the road.
Pour some fuel stabilizer
Fuel stabilizer helps prevent gas in your car tank from going bad. Without it, your car’s fuel system will likely need to be cleaned, or the fuel lines and injectors must be replaced. That could lead to costly services, even if your car has only sat for a few months.
Use a trickle charger
A trickle charger is a device you can plug into a standard wall socket to keep your vehicle’s battery charged if you can’t drive it regularly. Batteries tend to drain quickly in newer cars because they have multiple computers that monitor various car systems. If these programs fail because of a drained car battery, expect to deal with a costly reprogramming service.
Buy a quality car cover
If your car is parked outside, get a good car cover to protect its paint, rubber trim, and interior from the sun and other harsh weather elements. Avoid using a tarp as it can trap water underneath and even scratch the car paint. Also, make sure to clean the car thoroughly before putting the cover on. Otherwise, the cover can rub the dirt on the paint and ruin it over time.
Keep up with your car’s maintenance schedule
Again, vehicle upkeep may be the last thing on your mind these days. But since you’re staying home, you have more time to perform a few routine services, such as changing the engine oil or air filters. With a car service manual or a quick search for DIY videos, you can tell whether you can do them yourself. If you think you lack the skill set, you can hire a local no-contact car repair and maintenance provider.
One of the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to stay home and practice social distancing. But the longer your car sits, the higher the risk of permanent damage that can lead to a costly repair bill. It takes extra measures to keep your vehicle in good condition as you survive through the pandemic.
