Keeping your car maintained during COVID-19
Keep your car healthy during the stay at home restrictions just requires a few common-sense stepsIn response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, significant but necessary restrictions have been placed on private travel. As such, many cars are being driven substantially less than normal.
While that obviously saves on fuel, it does not necessarily improve the health of your pride and joy. Indeed, leaving your car parked for a long period of time without it being driven, or even driving it very short distances, can actually impact on its reliability and safety.
But there are some simple things you can do to keep your car in good shape while it’s not being driven, or at the very least, being driven less.
Avoid a dead battery: Start your car once a week and let it run for 5-10 minutes to keep your battery from going flat. Make sure your car is in well-ventilated spot.
Fill up your car
Fill your car to the top to help prevent moisture from building up inside the fuel tank. Fuel’s cheap right now. Just make sure you observe proper hygiene at the petrol station.
COVID-19 Driving refuelling and breakdowns
Clean your car
Be sure to keep your car clean. Pollutants like bird droppings or water stains left on the car can damage the paint. And don’t forget the inside.
Here are some tips on hygiene when driving
Keep it covered
If you can’t keep your car undercover, consider a weatherproof car cover. Make sure it’s a purpose-made car cover – others can do more harm than good.
Check the tyre pressure
Ensure your car’s tyres are inflated to the recommended tyre pressure to avoid developing flat spots. A little higher than normal is better than under inflation.
Check the handbrake
If set for a while, your handbrake may be difficult to release. Release it once a week to keep it good condition or better still chock a wheel and leave the brake off.
And, the best advice of all get it serviced...
Car Servicing
Most car dealerships’ service departments are operating in this period and many are offering pick-up and drop-off services. Check when you car’s next service is due. This is an ideal time and freshly serviced your car will be ready to go…
More COVID-19 and car questions and answers
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