4 things to do when leaving your car for a long time without driving
4 things to do when leaving your car for a long time without driving
While working from home (WFH), many people have left their cars without starting and driving. However, even if you don’t drive as often, your car still needs to be taken care of and regular maintenance to prevent any further damages and ensure that it’s ready to be used at any time. When leaving your car for a long period of time without starting, it can deteriorate all the time. This can cause possible damages and problems in engine parts, transmission systems, brake systems, tires, batteries as well as lubricants and fluids. PTT Lubricants has 4 easy tips for you to take care of your car properly!
📌 Start the car 2-3 times a week.
When you leave the car for many weeks without starting, there is a potential risk of deterioration such as corrosion and rust, especially internal parts that are difficult to see from outside. So, we should start the car engine and/or drive at least 2-3 times a week to recirculate and warm up the lubricants and fluids. This also helps us check if there are any problems.
📌 Wash the car regularly
If you leave the car for a long time and park it outdoors, your car has to be exposed to the sunlight, extreme heat and rain all the time. There is a potential risk that dust, stains, heat and moisture can cause car paint damage. Thus, you should wash the car’s exterior regularly. However, it would be better if you can park the car indoors to avoid being exposed directly to the sunlight and rain. This also prevent the car from environmental factors.
📌 Check and inspect the tire condition
When your car is left sitting too long, the tire's deterioration can be accelerated. However, we can prevent this problem by inflating the tires about 5-10 pounds per square inch more than usual. In addition, we can also take the car out to drive around just to change the point where the tire contacts the ground. This way the contact point won’t have to bear the car weight for a long time, and it helps prevent the tires sidewall from cracking and deforming.
📌 Check the lubricants and fluids in the car.
Regularly check the engine oil, brake fluid, gear oil and other fluids even when the car is not in use. A vehicle that has been parked for a long time will be exposed to humidity and dust from the outside which will contaminate the oils and other liquids. Therefore, they should be checked and changed at the intervals specified in the manual or as recommended by experts. Also, take the car out for some driving after leaving the car sit for a long time to allow the lubricant and liquid to circulate in the system.
That is it for the checklist that we encourage you to follow after leaving your car without driving for a long time. Also, don’t forget to look for products from PTT Lubricants that help protect your engine and enhance the driving performance of your vehicle. Shop now at PTT Station, FIT Auto, or any stores that distribute PTT Lubricants products near you! 💙
