You might not be driving much right now, and your car could be neatly parked somewhere right now. However, how you take care of your car while it’s parked at doing nothing will influence its overall performance.
Despite not driving your vehicle, you’ll still need to perform certain routine checks in the vehicle to ensure it’s in good shape. Here are a few tips to help take care of your car while it sits.
- Continue Doing Regular Maintenance
Many consider regular maintenance in terms of mileage rather than timing. When your car sits idly for long periods of time, the oil and preservatives will still age even though it’s not accruing many miles. When in doubt, consult your car owner’s manual for suggestions on timing to perform regular maintenance tasks.
- Turn the Car On Regularly
Even if you don’t have anywhere to go, you should start your car every couple of days to disperse the fluids and keep things fresh and lubricated. This step is also particularly good for preserving your car’s battery. When you can, take your car for a short ride at least once a week.
- Replenish the Vehicle’s Fuel
According to advice by Consumer Reports, gas can go bad within three months. Old fuel can cause your engine to slow or, worse, cause your car not to start at all. You can avoid problems like these by occasionally regularly riding and topping up your fuel tank. You can also add a fuel stabilizer for additional protection.
A fuel stabilizer is a solution that prevents the gas from evaporating as well as from developing sticky residue that could potentially ruin your car’s carburettor.
- Clean the Vehicle Always
If your car is sitting for a while, it’s important to clean and disinfect all surfaces like the handles, gear shift, steering wheel, seatbelts, and dashboard, which can attract a lot of dust. You can use designated car cleaners as well. Some even recommend using makeup removers to clean leather surfaces. For finishing touches, vacuum the carpet area and add an air freshener to ensure freshness.
- Clean the Exterior
Also, give your car’s exterior care by cleaning it. Avoid using dish soap to clean your car because it can strip its wax coating and cause further scratches. You can use car wax for added protection. This will help your car look clean for longer.
Conclusion
Care for your parked car the same way you’ll care for a car you drive regularly. It’ll surprise you to know that a regular car for your parked car improves its condition over time.
