Tips to Keep Your Parked Car In The Best Condition

The maintenance of a car takes a lot of effort. No matter whether you are constantly driving it or not, it is essential to carry out a few basic checks to it in a healthy condition so you can take it out whenever you require. Here are the best car maintenance tips you should follow to keep it in a good condition when it is parked for a long period of time:

1. Find A Safe Place to Park 

Ensure to park your car in a covered area. If you do not have a car parking area, then cover it with a good quality cover otherwise sunlight, bird droppings or a collection of dried leaves etc, can harm the paint of your car, especially when parked for a long period of time.

2. Check the Car Battery

The charging of your car’s battery will get depleted if it is not in use for a long time. Start your car engine once in 3 days to avoid the discharging of the battery and ensure to run the engine for 10 minutes at least. You can also disconnect your battery from the negative terminal to avoid jump start your car engine later.

3. Don’t Use Handbrake

To park your car for a long time, you should not use the parking brake or handbrake as they can get jammed. You can leave your car in gear or can use a wheel blocker like stone, brick, etc, to prevent the car from moving. For automatic cars, you should leave them in the parking mode.

4. Keep the Fuel Tank Full

It is recommended to keep your fuel tank filled to its full capacity. It will ensure the air above the fuel could not lead moisture to be collected. Since, when moisture enters the engine, it can damage the car considerably and can rust your car’s fuel tank.

5. Keep The Car Clean

Wash your car regularly to ensure no accumulation of dust, bird droppings, dried leaves, and so on. Apart from the exterior, you should also clean up the interior. Try to switch on the AC or blower, whenever you start the car engine to get rid of any dirt or dust. Also, ensure no junk food or any leftover is there inside the car to avoid the growth of bacteria.

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6. Maintain Tyre Pressure

Always try to maintain the right tyre pressure. Tyre pressure leaks when the car is kept parked for a long time. By maintaining the right tyre pressure, you can prevent any cracks from getting formed on the tyre’s sidewalls. Also, move your car backwards and forward to avoid flat spots.

7. Close the Exhaust Pipe

Plug the exhaust if you reside in a wildlife prone area. You can also utilise steel wool or similar material to prevent small creatures from entering the exhaust pipe.

8. Wind Up and Down the Windows

The car window could get jammed if not operated for a long time due to rust or jamming of its mechanical parts. So, ensure to wind up and down the windows to keep its part in working condition.

9. Turn the Steering Wheel

The steering wheel of the car can also jam when not in use for a long time. So, move it on both sides to ensure it is in a normal condition.

10. Monitor Fluid Levels

Monitor the fluid levels in your car on a regular basis such as engine oil, lubricant, coolant or brake fluid. If fluid levels are low, then fill it and check for leakages thereafter.

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Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.