Maintenance for a Car That’s Infrequently Driven

There are numerous reasons for someone to let their car or truck sit empty for long periods. Maybe you’re suffering from limited mobility. Maybe you’re working from home. Whatever factors keep you out of the driver seat, you should be aware that a car that’s allowed to lie dormant for long stretches may end up in a rough state. With that in mind, here are some tips to care for an infrequently driven car in Athens County, OH.

What happens to my dormant car?

In as little as 15 days, your car can begin to experience one or more of the following issues:

• Dust collects, not just on the outside, but on the inside, too, in vital parts of the engine. There, it can cause serious damage.
• The battery will die. Even a heavy-duty battery won’t last longer than three weeks in a dormant vehicle.
• After several weeks, air begins to leak out of the tires, straining the structure of the tires themselves and potentially causing damage to the vehicle’s rims.
• Months after the car has been parked, bugs and other pests can move in.

That’s just a handful of the issues that can arise if you’re not using proper care for your infrequently driven car in Athens County, OH.

Activity pays

The longer you let your car or truck sit idle, the more damage the vehicle will be forced to endure. Fortunately, you can turn the tide on those problems by turning the ignition and letting your car idle for about 10 minutes once a week. This simple trick will warm up your engine and shake off the dust (literally and figuratively) that builds up during the days when your vehicle isn’t being driven.

Clean it out (and in)

If you know that you’re going to be leaving your car idle for several days or weeks, be sure to give the vehicle a thorough clean. You should also attempt to remove as many items from your vehicle as possible. This will help you get a jump on the accumulation of debris. Plus, it will serve as a deterrent for everyone from potential criminals to invading pests.

Disconnect the battery

If left connected to your car for too long, your car’s battery can develop a toxic buildup known as corrosion. If you know that you won’t be driving for a while, it may be a good idea to unplug the battery and prevent the buildup of corrosion.

Got a car problem? We have the solution

At Dana’s Tire Center, we’ve offered first-rate service to all of our friends in the Athens County area for over 35 years, and caring for infrequently driven cars in Athens County, OH is just the start. While we specialize in the repair and replacement of tires on vehicles of every variety, our highly-skilled team of auto technicians can help diagnose (and likely fix) a massive number of problems in your car. We offer a wide range of services, including engine work, transmission repair, air conditioning work, brake repair and so much more. Give us a call today—we can’t wait to hear from you.

Categorised in: Car Care Tips

This post was written by Writer