There are not many reasons to use your car during the Covid-19 lockdown but taking care of it is still very important for when you need to use it again. If you are one of the 78% of the population not classed as a key worker, and either furloughed or working from home, your car is probably only going to be used sporadically to visit the supermarket or collect medication. Most families have more than one vehicle and one of them may not be being used at all right now.
It would be great to think that you can leave your car on your driveway without any use for months collecting dust, then pick it back up and hit the roads again but unfortunately, it’s not that simple.
This is even more important now with the introduction of the 6-month MOT extension period. You may not have to take your car in for MOT over the next few months but you are still expected to keep your car in a roadworthy condition or risk a fine when you get back behind the wheel.
Here are some simple steps to help keep your vehicle in tip-top shape for when you return to using it on a regular basis.
Starting the car regularly
Regularly starting your vehicles on conventional petrol and diesel engines need approximately 20 minutes of running to put back into the battery what you remove on startup, so to maintain this battery, running the engine for a period of time at least once a week is advised.
The length of time needed to charge the battery will vary according to the make and model of your vehicle.
Check your tyres
We highly recommend inflating your tyres to the maximum recommended pressures found on their sidewall, as they will lose pressure over time, even if they are not being used in motion.
If left for a long period of time this can lead to flat spots and your tyres losing their round shape, especially on older tyres.
If you think you may be leaving your car idle for several months, rolling it (very carefully) every so often can ensure the tyres will not get worn unevenly.
If you do have tyre issues in Nottinghamshire, we have a mobile tyre fitting team who can come to your home address and sort the issue completely contactless!
Cleaning your car
Giving your car a clean before storing it or when using it less frequently will not only help keep it looking its best but could prevent damage further down the road.
Waxing your car can stop tree sap, bird droppings and harsh weather leaving its mark on your paintwork, but make sure you give the car a thorough clean before applying a coat.
Paying attention to your tyres will ensure brake shavings, mud and grease are removed, which can help to prevent corrosion later.
Top up your car’s fuel
Before parking your car up for a long period, it is a good idea to top it up with fuel. A full tank will prevent condensation forming inside, which could cause issues if allowed to build up over time.
Crucially, a full tank will ensure that if you do need to make an essential journey, your car is ready to go.
If you have more than one car, alternate which vehicles you drive on your essential trips
It is always beneficial to give your car a short ride out so alternate between vehicles on your weekly or bi-weekly essential trips to keep them all moving more frequently.
If you have require any advice on the maintenance of your vehicles whilst in lockdown, you can contact us here and we will be more than happy to answer your questions.
You can read some more of our helpful car maintenance blogs below:
6 ways to keep your tyres in great condition
