Hygiene when driving
In challenging times, it’s important that we’re all aware of hygiene – and that also means in the carIn the face of extraordinary measures to help curtail the spread of COVID-19, it’s worth considering some sensible hygiene measures that you can apply to your own car, or indeed, a car you may be test driving or considering to buy.
During this challenging period, the carsales team will continue to test new vehicles and cover new car launches. But we will be taking some extra measures to minimise the risk to our team. You may want to apply the same regime to you own vehicle or a car you’re test driving or sharing with friends or family
We have compiled some very basic actions in conjunction with Motorsport Safety and Rescue (MSR), which in turn is using the protocols in preparation of media test vehicles on advice received from Ambulance Victoria.
1. Consider cleaning your vehicle with an alcohol-based disinfectant or wipes before you hand it over to another driver. If the boot is on the other foot and you’re the ‘new’ driver – apply the same logic.
2. Ideally wear gloves while doing so and test the cleaner on an out of the way area of the interior before you launch into the main dash. Avoid overly harsh cleaners (ie: bleach).
3. The touch points you should target in your vehicle include the key fob, steering wheel, transmission shifter, door handles and other places you’d normally touch such as the volume knob or heating controls. Don’t forget the indicator and wiper stalks!
4. If you are actually test driving a vehicle to purchase also consider the normal safety steps we advise for buyers. And don’t forget, you actually need to work out whether the vehicle suits you -- so watch our guide to test driving.
5. Remember the government 'personal distance' protocols to help reducing the risk of person-to-person infection.
Hopefully, these simple steps will provide some additional peace of mind for when you’re test driving or otherwise sharing a vehicle.
It’s our aim though the emerging coronavirus to ensure new models receive full, on-going coverage from the carsales test team. We love cars and we love driving and we’d like to think you all do too...
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