During this season of isolation and working from home, it is essential to care for your vehicle, especially if you don`t use it so much. As the proverb goes, “precaution is better than cure”; it is wise to stay at home as there is no cure right now. Also, it is better to maintain your car than to get it repaired.
It is a good idea to get an OBD-II reader and app for your vehicle; it is like a call logger app like flexispy app but for your vehicle that logs all your car’s data and maintenance schedules. Since solid snow can keep going for a couple of days, you must make sure that your car stays solid and prepared for any crisis.
What Precautions Should You Take?
On the off chance that you plan on putting away your vehicle for half a month, you should take the following precautions:
Check Parking Area
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If the vehicle is left outside, the best thing is to cover it with something. Shield it from the rain and bright light. Also, park your car in a garage so that dust doesn’t accumulate on it. Park your vehicle on wooden squares underneath the tires to shield the concrete from drawing the air pressure out of them.
Check Tires
It’s advisable to slightly increase the pressure of the tires so that they don’t lose their shape. Bear in mind the car will remain parked; check the tire pressure once a week. Also, check the spare tire to see if it is in good condition for emergencies.
Check Fluids and Filters
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For a car to work effectively, one needs to ensure that all the fluids like Engine oil, coolant levels, brake fluid, and washer fluid are at their optimum level. You can use the dipstick to check the engine oil level while the coolant reservoir has markings on it. Equally important is the cabin filter; changing the cabin filter will guarantee a proper flow of virus-free fresh air into your cabin.
Check Battery
You need to maintain the battery by charging it consistently. If the car has been idle for a long time, disconnect the battery to keep it from running down. You should take optimum steps to ensure the battery is in solid shape.
Check Fuel Tank
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A city lockdown due to heavy snow can also lead to the fuel pumps shutting down. So, it is always good to have sufficient fuel in the car. Fill the petrol tank no more than half full to avoid any deterioration. That helps prevent condensation buildup that would get in your car’s fuel system. Soon after, it may affect the drivability of the vehicle when you do go to utilize it again.
Take Test Drive
Start the car at least once or twice a week; you can do this with a remote starter. Driving your car will reduce the chance of the battery dying and fluids jamming up the pipes. Also, examine the brakes. It will keep your rotors from becoming rusted, that might later cause brake problems from lack of use.
Keep Your Car Clean
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Wash your car after a week or so: both from inside and outside. You can lessen the impact of the virus. Remove all the junk from the trunk and back seats. Also, you can use a microfiber cloth dunked and rinsed in warm water to clean all internal surfaces.
