Storing your car safely during lockdown
If you are not driving much at the moment, here are some tips on storing your car safely and making sure that when you need it you don’t have a flat battery or ruined tyres.
Despite moving to level two regulations, there are many people who are still working from home and, as a result, are not using their vehicles as much as they used to. If you are not driving much at the moment, here are some tips from the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA) on storing your car safely and making sure that when you need it you don’t have a flat battery or ruined tyres.
Battery care and maintenance
An unattended battery will eventually lose its charge, so, if possible, try and ensure someone in the family starts the car every two weeks and at least allow it to warm up to normal operating temperature in order to give the battery some time to take up a charge. If you are going out during the lockdown and have two cars, try and alternate cars so each is driven regularly.
Move vehicle to avoid flat spots on tyres
You need to make sure your tyres are inflated to the recommended tyre pressure. If a vehicle is left stationary for too long, the tyres could develop flat spots as the weight of the vehicle presses down on the tyres’ footprints.
Start the engine at least once every two weeks for oil circulation
It’s always a good idea to allow the car to idle for about two minutes to allow oil pressure to stabilise and cover all those splash lubrication points thoroughly.
Leave windows slightly open to avoid stagnate air while parking in a garage
Most closed garages do not have ventilation, so it is recommended you keep your garage door open every third day or so to allow air to circulate and to leave your windows a tiny bit open to avoid that stale smell when you finally drive your car.
