Do’s And Don’ts When Leaving Your Car For A Long Period Of Time
19 February, 2021
Do you have a plan to travel? Of course, that means you need to prepare a lot of things, including and especially if you have to leave your car at home for a long period of time. For you who is planning to have a long travel, here are some tips on how to store your car properly so that it will still have an excellent performance once you return.
Don’t use a handbrake
One suggestion for you is not to activate the hand-brake if you intend to leave your car at home for a long time. In this case, you can avoid the brake pads getting caught in the dusk. If that happens, it will be a hassle during your next drive. To be safe, you can use a wheel lock or prop up a tire with a stone so that the car does not move forward.
Park the car in the garage or use a cover
Whenever possible, you’re better parking your car in the garage since this would ensure safety and cleanliness. If you don’t have a garage in your house and would need to park your car outside, you can cover your car. Buy a cover with a fit size so it could overlay the whole car body. However, if the car is parked in a closed roof place, a cover is no longer needed for using it would lead moist to build up more quickly.
Pay attention to the spark plug
If you plan to leave your car for a long time, it is recommended to remove the spark plug and spray a little bit of oil to the socket before installing it back. This method prevents the cylinder head from rusting and helps to keep it moist. You can also use additives to provide a protective coating to the machine.
Clean the car
Usually, car owners don’t pay attention to the condition inside of the car when they are about to leave it for a long time. Before leaving it, however, the interior of the car must be clean to avoid the growth of bacteria on the car’s carpet, seats, and even cables inside the engine. You can also use air fresheners to maintain a nice smell inside the cabin.
The same applies to the exterior condition. To avoid your car from blisters when left for a long time, you might want to wash your car beforehand. This will prevent dirt from sticking onto the car’s body.
Fill up the tank
The fuel tank can rust if not used for a long time. An effective way to avoid this situation is to fill up the tank with high-octane gasoline. This method can prevent the tank from rusting quickly.
Also read: Maintaining Car Wiper
Check the battery
Don’t forget to check the condition of the car battery. Make sure the condition is excellent when left. Otherwise, you could also remove the battery and store it in a cool place, avoiding direct sunlight.
Car tires can deflate quickly if they are attached to the surface for too long. To avoid this, it is advised to use a jack on each wheel, thereby the car does not rest on the wheels.
Change oil and filter
It’s a good idea to change the oil and filter before leaving the car for a long time since used oil contains water vapor, metal powders, mud, and other corrosive elements.
Make sure the tire pressure is in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations before leaving your car. Fill up the right pressure can prevent the edges of the tires from cracking. Also, remember to check whether the tire valve caps are securely in place.
