Car maintenance tips during a lockdown

Car maintenance tips during a lockdown

The spread of COVID-19 has brought life to a standstill. With a nationwide lockdown imposed, staying at home is the wisest option to keep safe. To keep yourself fit and ready for the post-lockdown regime, however, you’re probably exercising or doing stretches.

Similarly, your parked car too needs timely maintenance. A prolonged spell of inactivity could adversely affect various parts of your car - tyres, engine, fuel tank, etc. Read on for some car maintenance tips during a lockdown that can help you retain the shape, sheen, and efficiency of your vehicle.

1. Park in the shade

Try to park the car in the shade or in a garage. If you don’t, the paint and interior parts that are exposed to direct sunlight (such as the dashboard) may lose their sheen. If you don’t have access to covered parking, use a waterproof sheet to protect your car. If you don’t have a car cover, you can put an old bed sheet with some weight over it as a temporary cover.

2. Keep the tyres inflated

A car parked for more than a couple of weeks will start showing significant damage to its tyres. They begin to deflate, and the rubber develops invisible weak points. The contact patch between the tyre and surface is affected the most as it bears the entire weight of the vehicle. Try to move the car minimally within the garage or parking area every few days so that the point of contact changes.

Over time, air will escape from the tyre, and the sidewall and centre rib will start to disintegrate. You need to make sure that you keep the car tyres inflated to the recommended pressure (between 30 and 35 PSI) at all times.

3. Battery check

The most common problem arising from not using a car is a discharged battery. To make sure it continues to function, you need to start the car every 4-5 days and keep the engine running for 10-15 minutes (do not rev it unnecessarily). This will help to recharge the battery as well as lubricate the engine. The engine parts may be prone to corrosion when they are not in use for a long time.

4. Fill up the tank

Among other significant car maintenance tips during a lockdown, keeping enough fuel is of high importance. Neglecting to do this may lead to corrosion in the fuel tank. If the volume of fuel is less, the air in the tank might condense over time, and the moisture can lead to corrosion.

5. Ease off the handbrake

When you park your car for many days, it is always recommended to disengage the handbrake. If you have an automatic car, leave the selector in ‘park’, this should be done only when the surface is level. If the parking area has a slope, you should engage the handbrake and leave the vehicle in gear or use bricks/stoppers to prevent the car from rolling away.