6 Ways COVID Can Actually Wreak Havoc To Your Car

The COVID situation has brought about a fundamental change for all the countries globally, and it has affected every member of the family. It has ruined the health of not just humans but other essential members of the family who also require adequate care at timely intervals. Now, because of the whole lockdown situations across the globe, automobiles were rarely used and not using them for an extended period of time does cause damage to them. In this article, we have listed six ways COVID can wreak absolute havoc on your car.

TL;DR? Watch This Video On COVID Car Care

1. A Dead Or Discharged Battery
   

   

   Your car’s battery is the first component that gets affected due to prolonged non-usage. This is because the terminals stay connected, and whether the vehicle is ON or OFF, there will be a slight leakage of current. Over an extended period of time, it discharges the battery entirely, and your car won’t even start.

   So if you expect the vehicle to stay idle for more than 15 days, then start it at least once a week and leave it running for 10-15 mins. If this is not possible like in case you leave your car in the city and go to your hometown or vice-versa, where you won’t be able to follow the previous method then, it would be better to disconnect the battery. This should disconnect the circuit, and hence there will be no leakage in the battery. Or better yet, opt for the GoMechanic COVID-19 Revival Package and leave all the COVID car care to us!

2. A Rusted/Corroded Fuel Tank
   

   

   If you’re leaving your car idle for a very long time, like the COVID lockdowns, make sure your fuel tank is full. This saves a headache during an emergency, and it helps prevent corrosion in the tank too. Also, the air in the tank may condense and turn to water vapour, which will settle into the fuel tank, and that is not good for the engine in any way.

   

3. Stuck/Jammed Brakes
   

   

   Now since you’re not using the car itself, the brake pads must be in the same condition that they were when last used. This won’t be the case if you park your car for a long period of time with the handbrake ON. This is because the brakes (both disc and drum brakes) will get jammed due to rust build-up, and it will cause damage to both the pads and the disc.

   Hence, if the vehicle is not being used for a long period of time, you can engage the gear and leave it be. In the case of an automatic transmission, unfortunately, there is not much you can do because if you leave it in Park mode, then it might affect the transmission system, especially if the vehicle is on a slope.

4. Flat (Spot) Tyres
   

   

   The tyres are the second most affected component if a vehicle is not used for an extended period of time. The tyres usually tend to crack on the side walls if not used regularly, and there is also the issue of flat spots. If a vehicle is stationary for a very long time, then the portion of the tyre that rests on the ground becomes flat. This tends to affect the circular shape of the tyre, which means it will affect the grip and ride quality of the car. So, make sure you at least take your vehicle out of the garage and back in to change the car’s position and the tyre.

   Also Read: 7 Reasons Why You Need To Invest In A Car Tyre Inflator

5. AC Mould/Bacteria Build-Up
   

   

   The dust that gets collected in the air-conditioning system is harmful, and more dust is the last thing you will need in assisting the COVID  in its havoc. Hence it is always advisable that when you take your car for a spin once a week, make sure you use the A/C and leave it running for 10-15 mins. This will ensure that there is no dust collection, and at the same time, it makes sure the AC is in perfect running condition.

   Suggested For You: 2022 Hyundai Venue Facelift | What We Know So Far

6. Low Essential Fluids
   

   

   It is always advisable to check the fluid levels of the car before starting it, and this is a good habit even when you leave the vehicle unattended for a long time. There might be leaks due to rodents biting the pipelines, or in rare cases, the quality of the fluid might not be in good condition, which is dangerous for the vehicle. So always check the fluid levels in your car every time before you crank it.

These practices are best followed to ensure your four-wheeled family member(s) are healthy and safe. Along with them, you can reduce the COVID havoc by regularly cleaning all the touchpoints in a car. They are mostly the steering wheel, seatbelts, window buttons, gear lever, AC controls, and armrests. You can use regular sanitisers and disinfectants to clean them. It is also advisable to keep the interiors clean to avoid foul odour especially if it is not used for a long time.

There are more ways that COVID can wreak havoc on your car, and we have only shown you a few. What do you think is the most important one to follow? It goes without saying, that you can always rely on GoMechanic for COVID car care. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.