How To Take Care of Your Car During COVID

This period, in which most people work from home, is not at all favorable for cars. Because they are used less often and over short distances, they can be damaged, so below we have put together some common sense tips to help you keep your car in perfect working order.

Even if we want the SARS-CoV-2 virus to go away overnight and return to the normal life we ​​had before the pandemic broke out, this is impossible and we must, in one way or another, still have a good time with this virus around.

The coronavirus pandemic not only affects human life but also hurts cars. Because most people work from home, the car is used less often and over short distances, which can damage them.

What can you do to make sure your car is in perfect working order during this difficult time? Nothing easier:

1. Use it at least once a week

Using the car at least once a week and letting the engine reach the optimum operating temperature has several advantages: engine fluids, transmission, differential, etc. they do not lose their properties, the gaskets are not damaged and the risk of the battery discharging is minimal.

2. Periodically check the wheel pressure

The tire pressure drops if the car stays in one place for too long, so you should check it regularly to make sure everything is in order.

If you drive with too little pressure on the wheels, the life of the tire decreases, the maneuverability of the car suffers, and the fuel consumption increases.

Moreover, the so-called "flat spots" can appear on a car for a long time, in which case the tires are good to throw away.

3. Keep the tank fuller

In this way, you avoid the formation of condensation in the tank or, if the car stays idle for a long time, the formation of petrol vapors which can prove to be extremely dangerous.

Another advantage of using the car at least once a week is that gasoline or diesel does not lose its quality and does not form deposits that can damage the injection and fuel system.

4. Avoid leaving the car parked with the parking brake applied

Leaving the car parked for a long time, with the parking brake applied, can lead to locking of the brake calipers or clogs and even to the seizure of the parking brake actuation cables.

A simple way to prevent the car from "going downhill" is to use larger stones to lock the wheels.

5. Check the oil more often

Raise the hood more often during this period and check the oil level or for any impurities. If you use the car for short distances and the oil does not reach the optimum operating temperature, it loses its properties much faster.

6. Be careful where you park

If you like the paint of your car, avoid leaving it - even more so for a long time - under trees from which sap or other sticky substances flow.

The coating is also very harmful to paint. Even a small amount can do irreparable damage in just a few hours. If you see something like this on the surface of the body, clean it as quickly as possible with either a cloth or a damp napkin.

That brings us to the next piece of advice.

8. Wash your car frequently

To keep the body and paint in the best possible condition, wash the car frequently and wipe/dry it so that no water remains in the less visible places. Otherwise, the rust will appear here in time.

You can also use various wax solutions.

9. Watch out for rodents

Rodents are especially dangerous for the car's electrical system. In order not to end up with gnawed cables and so on, make sure that you do not leave food scraps in the car.

If you keep the car in the garage and don't drive it for several days in a row, it wouldn't hurt to put two or three rodent traps.

10. Take it slow if you go on a longer journey

Before you go on a longer trip or start driving more often, after many days or weeks in which it has been stationary, it would be a good idea to do an "eye" inspection.

At the same time, the first few kilometers be gentle with the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal. Take it slow, don't step on it directly up to 150 km / h from the first, and listen for everything to sound right.

In conclusion, we only tell you this: if there is a major defect, do not try to repair it yourself. Visit the service and let the specialists do their job. Safety is, after all, the most important thing.

P.S: don't forget to disinfect the surfaces of the car you come in contact with most often, such as the steering wheel, the door handles, the gearbox, etc.