Do you have a vehicle in storage or not driving as much as you usually do? While you may not think of vehicle maintenance when it’s idle for a prolonged period, it is very important that you take some steps to make sure your vehicle is road ready when it’s time to drive.
Here are some tips to ensure your vehicle is maintained while it’s parked for an extended time.
1. Tires
Tires naturally lose a bit of air over time. As your tires deflate, your vehicle weight of the vehicle will overload the tires which will cause flat spots to develop on them. If the vehicle weight is left on the tire for an extended period, this will result in permanent damage to your tires.
Regularly check your tires’ pressure to ensure that the air level is sufficient as per the manufacturer’s recommendation. Make sure you add air if they begin to deflate.
2. Oil Change
Temperature fluctuations can cause your vehicle’s oil to deteriorate whether you’re driving or not. It is important to use time interval instead of a mileage interval to determine when you need an oil change. The time interval is the time that is recommended by the manufacturer between oil changes. The mileage interval is the mileage recommended between oil changes.
3. Gas
You may not be concerned about the gas level in your vehicle if you’re not driving it regularly. However, ensuring that your gas tank is topped up is very important. This helps prevent moisture from accumulating inside your gas tank and causing corrosion. This is typically caused by any temperature fluctuations. It may help to add a fuel stabilizer to protect your engine.
4. Battery
If you’re not driving your vehicle regularly the battery will lose its charge. Over as little as a couple of weeks a battery can become discharged, and your vehicle will not start. And sitting with a low charge will also shorten the overall life of your battery. Start and drive your vehicle at city or highway speeds at least once a week to help charge the battery. Even better, consider using a battery maintainer to help keep your battery in top shape and ensure its longest life. A jump starter could come in handy if you find yourself with a dead battery.
5. Rodents
As the temperature gets warmer, more rodents are coming out of hibernation. Keeping those tiny critters away from your engine is essential. Rodents may settle in under your hood and chew wires or hoses. They may even make their home in the exhaust outlet resulting in carbon monoxide poising when you’re back on the road. To help prevent this situation, place mothballs, dryer sheets, or cotton balls soaked with peppermint essential oil throughout the internal and external parts of your vehicle to deter rodents from getting in.
6. Parking Brakes
While it’s always a good idea to use parking breaks, using them while a vehicle is parked for a long time can cause damage. If the brake pads are in contact with the rotors for a prolonged period, it can cause them to fuse. To help limit damage use a wheel chock to avoid movement of the vehicle.
7. Loss of Fluid
Loss of fluids can be common with older vehicles. To ensure you’re aware of fluid loss, place a flattened cardboard box under your vehicle to help you keep track of any loss of fluid you may experience as your vehicle is parked for a long time.
8. External Car Cleaning
Although you may not be driving your vehicle as regularly as you used to, it is very important to maintain regular cleaning practices in order to prevent the onset of corrosion and deterioration. Over the winter, road debris and salt build-up and if left untreated will penetrate into surfaces and could accelerate corrosion. Make sure to wash your vehicle to make sure any salt residue has been removed.
If your vehicle is parked outside your garage you should frequently wash it to help protect your paint. Examples of factors that can damage your paint are water stains, dust, mud, or bird droppings. Finishing your wash with a coat of wax helps provide extra protection from the elements and helps prevent discoloration from harmful UV rays.
Now Casey Towing Transport is available in Dingley Village Victoria 3172.
Contact Us
Casey Towing Transport
39 Majestic Blvd
Cranbourne VIC 3977
0435 555 400
www.caseytowingtransport.com.au
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