Tips on keeping your car maintained and ready during Coronavirus shutdown
Many of us are not driving or driving short distances, which can be hard on your car components. Batteries can go flat, fuel loses its combustibility, engines parts go without lubrication, and tires lose pressure.
You do not want to be in a situation where your car is not usable or unsafe, in an emergency or natural disaster. Especially if it is easily preventable. Here are some tips to keep your car running.
Battery Tender
Keep your car or motorcycle battery charged when you are not driving. Battery tenders send a small amount of amps to keep the battery from going flat. Tenders come in many different features and prices.
Desulfators to keep the battery plates from breaking down too much.
I highly suggest keeping your car on a tender if you are not driving longer than 5-7 days. If you make many short trips and don't drive on the highway, a tender is a must. Your alternator requires a higher RPMs that city driving doesn't provide to charge the battery.
Battery Jump Starter
If your battery did go flat, buy a jump starter that doesn't require you to hook cables up to another car. Jump starters are portable and relatively cheap for peace of mind.
Tire Inflator
Keep your tires inflated, for safe driving and proper wear. Plug the inflator into your car and turn on the ignition to inflate your tires. Many come with a built in tire pressure gauge and auto stop at a set PSIs. Inflators can be used to inflate bike tires, air mattresses, and sport balls.
Avoid Flat Spots on Tires
If you don't leave the house at all and don't drive for long periods of time, flat spots can form on your tires, causing uneven rotation. I suggest moving your car at least once a week to prevent a flat spots on your tires.
Fuel Treatment or Conditioner
Have you ever kept fuel in your lawn mower after Fall and Winter, only to start it in the next Summer, and it doesn't run? Gas goes flat and loses its combustibility, after sitting for periods of time, especially with ethanol added with fuel at the pump. You do not want old, flat gas running through your engine if it has been sitting for a long time, especially with the quarantine being extended. This applies to your lawnmower, weed wackers, motorcycles, etc.
Another tip is to keep your gas tank full. Condensation builds up in the tank if the car has been sitting for a long time, reducing the effectiveness of the fuel. Keeping a full tank minimizes water from building up.
Oil Friction Addictive
Oil pools in the oil pan, leaving vital engine components exposed and unprotected, after long periods of not driving. Moisture can form, rusting components, and creating uneven wear or metal on metal contact without oil. Oil additives fill in the gap and help oil stick to engine components longer.
Oil additives have been shown to increase MPG, reduce friction and sludge, as well as engine protection.
Brake Fluid
Brake fluid is so important for safety and driving, yet it is almost always neglected. The recommended interval a brake fluid flush is 2 - 3 years, yet most people never do this. Brake fluid absorbs moisture and loses effectiveness over time. Water builds up in the lines, and bubbles form during braking, which results in longer stopping distances. This can result in completely losing your brakes if neglected for long enough.
If you can flush your own brake fluid or have experience, now is the time during the quarantine. If not, please bring your car into a shop if it's been over three years.
Windshield Wiper Blades
Wiper blades rot over time, much faster if your car sits outside. The recommended interval is 1 year. Wiper blades are important for safety, especially in the rain, but often overlooked.
Conclusion
These tips are excellent for proper car maintenance, regardless of Coronavirus and quarantine. If you actually own and don't lease, these guidelines will help keep your car running for many years.
