Has Your Car has been Sitting Because of Covid-19

What to do If your vehicle has been sitting because of Covid-19

Amidst the global Pandemic of the coronavirus, going outside has become a health risk. Thus most of the world is in isolation. Since nobody is going out, car owners across the globe are worried about what type of maintenance does their vehicle needs while it’s not running. Here are some things that you can do to make sure your vehicle stays in proper good health while it’s not running.

Routine Maintenance

Battery: You should start your car daily or on alternating days to make sure the battery does not die. Many people think that by disconnecting the battery, it won’t drain, but the truth is it can still drain and will cause you problems if you connect it after long periods. That is why you need to make sure that you start your car daily or on alternating days to make sure the battery stays in proper health.
Trickle Charger: Using a trickle charger can save you quite a bit of trouble if you can’t drive the car regularly or even once per week. If you consider staying inside is the best, for you can use a trickle charger that connects in the wall socket in your garage. It will keep the battery from draining, so you never have to face a dead battery when you drive your car after keeping it sitting for long periods.
Tires: If your car stays in the same spot for more extended periods it may develop flat spots in the tires, to counter this problem make sure you move your car a little bit so that the tire positioning changes.
Engine: If the car stays idle for too long, the wires and belts can get corroded, which can be damaging to the vehicle and will cost you a lot to repair. You should not let your car sit idle for long periods and should start it at least once a week.
Electrical Components: Whenever the car is sitting idle for more extended periods, the electrical components such as the power windows and power seats tend to get jammed. Make sure when you turn your car on, you use these components to prevent them from jamming.

Periodic Maintenance

Brakes: When you leave the car, idle the brakes develop rust or lose their grip over time. Especially if you are living near a coastal area, the brakes tend to develop rust quicker. Rust doesn’t occur very fast, but you need to get them checked after 2-3 months.
Fluids: Your car has a variety of lubricants and other fluids inside it, and by sitting idle, they can lose their lubricating qualities. After 3-4 months, you need to get all the fluids replaced. These include Engine oil, Brake oil, Engine coolant, Windshield washer fluid. This way, the car’s components don’t develop rust or get damaged.
A/C System: Almost every car nowadays has an air-conditioning system. This system uses compressed gas. Leaving your car idle for long periods can cause ineffective cooling, and you will have to recharge the gas whenever you drive it again. You need to make sure that the gas in the a/c system is circulated at least once a week. This can be done by starting the engine and turning on the a/c system.

If you have any questions or problems due to your vehicle sitting for long periods, please reach out to Edgestone Automotive of Austin, Texas, at 512-288-5050 or check out our website at Edgestoneautomotive.com.