Hi car lovers! Stay safe! Covid-19 virus has much disturbed our daily life. Governments around the world are imposing lockdowns to curb the virus from spreading. Lockdown is not just limiting our movement but also our cars. Cars are made to run on the road. Mechanical problems would arise if your car is left idle for too long. To maintain your car in a healthy condition, here are some tips for you:
Battery Check
Start your car at least once a week for 10-15 minutes with AC, audio system and lights on. This is because the battery is getting discharged when the car is not being used. It would be best if you could drive it around your car park compound or any short distance. This would allow the alternator to charge the battery. If you are unable to do that, you should disconnect the battery to prevent jump-starting during emergency use.
Prevent Direct Sunlight Exposure
Consider investing in a car cover sheet. By covering your car, you are protecting it against direct sunlight exposure, dust, rain, and bird droppings. This action will help prolonging your car body paint wear greatly. Park your car in the shade or in a garage if you could.
Check Tyres Pressure & Avoid Flat Spots
As a driver, you should always check your tyres pressure as the air will leak out from your tyres even if you don’t have a puncture. Once you get your tyres with right amount of pressure, try not to park it at the same spot for too long. This is because when it starts to deflate it would create a flat spot on the tyre. Flat spots won’t fix themselves when you re-inflate the tyres. It would cause vibrations while you’re driving the car. Just make sure the tyres don’t sit on the very same spot all the time. By changing the parking spots regularly, you can save the need for new tyres.
Disengage The Handbrake
You’re recommended to disengage the handbrake if you’re going to park your car for a long time. But you must make sure that your car is park on a level surface if you disengage the handbrake. Otherwise, you should engage the handbrake and leave it in gear with bricks or stoppers to avoid the car from rolling away.
Fill Up The Tank
It’s always good have the tank filled. In case of emergency, you don’t need to find a petrol station to refuel. Besides, it helps preventing corrosion in the fuel tank. It is because if the fuel volume is less, the air in the tank might condense over time, and the moisture can lead to corrosion.
