Be it a car, a motorcycle or any other vehicle, every vehicle is meant to be driven and transport things. Things can take a negative turn when these vehicles are not doing the thing that they are meant to do, that is drive. Time is something that takes a really bad toll on the cars that are not driven for a long time. Things like the rubber bushing, gaskets and more things can get disturbed.
Watch our Latest Video on GoMechanic Youtube
So, if your vehicle falls in this category or you somehow have to leave your vehicle unattended here are the tips you need to follow to reduce the damage.
The main components in a vehicle that are affected by time are:
Battery
You may not know, but a car sitting quietly in a garage or at a parking place consumes battery. Where does the charge in that battery go? You may ask. Well, there are several components in the car like the infotainment system, the digital MID, all use the battery to save data loss.
A clock, distance to empty, digital odo, all utilize battery when sitting idle.
People boast of having connected car tech nowadays. Worry not, the connected tech is one the things that use the most charge from the battery. So with the problems clear, how to solve the problem?
Solution for a Sitting Battery
-
- It is recommended to take the car out for a drive of at least 10kms – 20kms once a week. This will be enough to get the battery sufficiently charged to let it sit idle for another week.
- It is not recommended to remove the battery terminal at all. Yes! This will lead to data loss. For the most part, you’d have to again adjust the clock in the car.
- You could also use the jumper cables to jumpstart your vehicle. But remember if, the car is not starting without the jump starts, it is time to replace the battery.
Tyres
Undoubtedly tyres are among the ones that degrade really fast. You’ll be wondering how is this even possible. Well, for you to know, tyres are not completely sealed and there is a gradual loss of air from them. If not taken care, in no time they’ll be flat, or at least have a really low tyre pressure.
Due to the low tyre pressure or a flat tyre, it can also have a flat spot. As the name suggests, it is a situation where the tyre retains the shape of the flat surface where it has been sitting for long. Another problem the tyre faces are the cracks, that are developed on the surface and something on the tyre walls.
How to prevent tyre degradation?
-
- For one more time, it is recommended to drive the car at least 10kms in a week. This will slow the process of air to seep out of the tyres. This will also reduce the chances of flat spots on the tyres.
- If the car has to sit or is sitting for more than a month, one should regularly check the tyre pressure, around 1-2 psi (Pounds per Square Inch) is lost when not using the vehicle. Well, most of the modern cars come equipped with low-pressure indicator. But still, if you are unsure of the pressure refer to the door sill of the driver side (You’ll find the optimum pressure there).
Brakes
A vehicle is meant to run and if not doing so, many moving parts degrade more when compared to the ones in running condition, brakes are one of them. With little or no use of the car cause the brake disc rotors to rust. This will lead to an annoying screeching sound.
Solutions of Rusting Brake Rotors
This is because of the moisture present in the atmosphere. Well, worry not the layer of rust is harmless and will just a small drive to remove the top layer of that rust. But if you experience an abnormal brake noise like a metal to metal clanking, it’s time to visit the nearest GoMechanic workshop. Let the experts check and do the repairs for you.
Download The GoMechanic App Now!
Fuel
Time degrades everything, the fuel in your vehicle’s fuel tank is no different. A fuel sitting in your fuel tank will rot when the car is not in use for months. The bad fuel can clog the injectors, the float and the jets in a carburettor.
Here is what you need to do to save fuel from degrading:
- For one, you should add a fuel stabilizer if you plan to leave your car not driven for a really long time.
- The second thing to sort this problem is, pulling down the fuel tank, draining all the bad fuel and cleaning the tank. But for sure this will be more expensive than the fuel stabilizer. You decide, which one would be better for you and your wallet.
Paint
You accept it or not but the vehicle you drive tells a lot about a person’s character and no one would like to drive a vehicle with poor or degraded paint for sure. But what could possibly go wrong with the paint? The small dust particles and dirt all act as abrasives and will surely damage the paint over time.
Even a non-harmful thing like a bird poop can harm the paint as it is acidic in nature. And if, there are surfaces with paint chips, be ready for a long bill to cure rusting.
How to save your car’s paint?
- One of the best things to save your car’s paint is the car cover. Cove the car and it’ll somewhat be isolated from the direct contact with the atmosphere.
- You can also wash the car and wax it before letting it sit unattended.
- If you really love your car, ceramic coating and PPF is also an option. But worrying about which one to go for? Let me make it easy for you.
Now with the problems clear, here are the things to do when hitting back on road in a vehicle that has been sitting for long.
Here is a Checklist You Should Follow
Check all the fluids (Quantity and quality).
- Engine Oil
- Washer Fluid
- Brake Fluid
- Coolant
Other things to check for are,
- Tyre pressure
- Headlight bulbs
- Wiper blades
In the end, remember to let the vehicle run idle without applying load or engaging gears. This will allow the engine oil and coolant to flow with ease and reduce the wear and tear.
Also, Read 10 Reasons To Choose Diesel Over Petrol For Your Next Car
Informative: Transverse Vs Longitudinal | Engine Placement Explained
