It’s been a long year or so for all of us in Hartford, WI, and while there’s finally a light at the end of the tunnel with the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the hasty distribution of vaccines, many people are still hunkered down for the foreseeable future. This means people are still driving significantly less than they would in “normal” times. And chances are, the last year has seen you put the fewest miles on your vehicle that you have in a long time.
If your car has been spending a whole lot of time sitting in the garage or parking lot over the last year, it’s important to make sure it’s still getting some activity. Just because your car has been sitting around and not getting used doesn’t mean it’s not aging or experiencing any form of wear and tear, and you shouldn’t just assume your vehicle is going to be good to go when you try to start it up after a long time without using it.
Here are a few steps you can take to keep your vehicle maintained during the rest of the pandemic:
- Find reasons to drive: Even if you’re working from home and trying to avoid going out to stores or other public locations, you should still set aside some time at least once a week for at least 20 minutes to drive your car, just to keep it exercised. Otherwise, your battery could slowly lose its charge, resulting in your needing to get a jump or otherwise charge your battery. There are other vehicle components that can also wear out if you don’t use them.
- Check your tires: When the tires don’t get used for an extended amount of time, they’re more likely to lose air pressure faster. Check the inflation to make sure they’re measuring at the proper pressure level. If they get deflated, the tires could get deformed due to sitting in the same place for an extended period of time, and flat spots can ruin a tire.
- Clean your interior: Your car can develop a stale smell if it just sits there for a long time without being used. This is because any wrappers, food, drinks or wipes that were left in the vehicle will start to decay. You should clean out the garbage and vacuum the carpets and upholstery.
- Look for pests: Letting your vehicle sit for an extended period of time could also result in pests finding a way to infest your vehicles. Rodents often try to nest under the hood or inside the vehicle, and might even chew away at wires or belts. There’s also the possibility your vehicle could become attractive to spiders or cockroaches if left alone and in the darkness for long enough. Regularly driving it and keeping it clean can help you avoid issues with pests.
For more information about the steps you can take to keep up with car repair during the pandemic in Hartford, WI even when you’re not regularly driving it, contact Pat Doll Automotive LLC today.