Are you driving less? Whether you work from home or have a second vehicle that doesn’t see the road much, your vehicle still needs maintenance. A sitting car will still experience wear and tear, and you’ll want your car ready to go when you are.
Here are 15 tips for maintaining your vehicle when you don’t drive much.
Check Tire Pressure
Your vehicle’s tires can deflate with wear and tear and temperature changes, even when you aren’t driving much. Keep a tire pressure gauge handy in your car or garage so you can check it at least once per month. You can find the appropriate tire pressure inside the driver’s side door.
Battery Tender
Car batteries like to be full. Sitting for long periods can cause batteries to discharge. A trickle charger will help keep your vehicle battery from getting low without needing a fast charge. Look for a trickle charger that automatically shuts off when the battery is full, as overcharging can also cause damage.
Fighting Off Interior Smells
If you live in a warm climate and park outside, or your vehicle isn’t in a climate-controlled garage, consider rolling the windows down a little to allow air circulation. Air will help prevent the build-up of musty smells and mold.
Preventing Rodents
Unfortunately, warmth-seeking rodents invade vehicles and take their dental needs out on your car by chewing through wires, which causes expensive repairs. One word of caution: put rodent traps or bait outside your vehicle. You want rodents going anywhere but inside your car.
Brakes
If your vehicle sits for at least a few days, the brakes might be squeaky and have less stopping power. After starting the car, apply the brakes before taking off to warm the system up. When you begin to drive, try to be gentle for the first few stops and avoid hard braking until things feel normal again.
Preventing Premature Tire Wear
Your vehicle’s tires don’t have to be in motion for the treads on your tires to wear down. There are a couple of keys to preventing this problem. You can move the car at least once every 30 days, or if you are going to wait a longer time between trips, you could take the wheels off and place the vehicle on jacks.
Car Cover
A car cover is beneficial if you park in the driveway or garage without climate control. Car covers keep your paint and interior safe from summer heat and prevent snow buildup in winter.
Battery Disconnect
If you have not driven for over a month, disconnect the battery to prevent rust and corrosion. For safety’s sake, be sure the engine is off and the keys aren’t in the ignition, then remove the black, negative terminal first.
Change the Oil
Even if you don’t drive much, you should still follow the manufacturer’s suggestion for oil changes. You’ll want to go by the time instead of mileage. The biggest reason is that oil additives still break down when not used, although the process happens slower than when driving regularly.
Insurance
This one is more about maintaining your wallet. Let your insurance company know if you are driving less than in previous years. Mileage per year is one factor that affects insurance premiums. Call them or make the change online to get some guidance about how to set up your insurance coverage for less driving.
Top Off Your Fluids
Your vehicle has many fluid containers besides the gas tank. Fill your coolant, windshield washer, brake, and power steering fluids to ensure they reach maximum levels. A tank with extra air has a higher chance of developing rust, which will cause leaks later.
Don’t Use The Parking Brake
A parking brake can freeze over time. Wheel blocks help prevent a vehicle from potentially rolling without the risk of a seized parking brake.
Fill the Tank
You’ll want to fill your gas tank as much as you can. Why? Any part of your fuel tank that is not full of gas will be full of air. This can cause condensation to build up and drip into the tank, which can cause corrosion.
Fuel Stabilizer
Over time, fuel can become less potent, making your vehicle harder to start when needed. Add a fuel stabilizer to the tank so the fuel remains stable and your car is ready to go when needed.
Start and Drive
Your vehicle is designed to get up to speed and move. When you drive, let the vehicle get completely warmed before turning it off again. If this means taking the long way home, do it. It’s better to get all the fluids, like oil, moving throughout your engine.
Protect Your Vehicle by Keeping It In Top Shape While Not Driving
Whether taking a break from driving or due to a backup vehicle, if you’re not driving as much as you used to, it’s still important to put time and money into preserving your investment. Our 15 tips will help you become more aware of what your vehicle needs so that it is ready to run when you need it.
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