Top Tips to Maintain Your Car Amidst the Pandemic

As the pandemic is looming large over the world, many people are working from home. The insidious COVID-19 has turned the world upside down and the UAE is not an exception.

It goes without saying that vehicles tend to work in the best conditions when they are in use and maintained on a daily basis. However, due to the pandemic, most cars are sitting alone in the rented parking spaces, building car parking areas, on the streets, and in open, sandy areas.

Since the ‘using’ bit is not happening much these days, for apparent reasons, adapting all the basic maintenance, you can make sure that your car is ready for the job when you plan to start using it again. Therefore, it doesn’t matter whether you have brand-new or used cars in Dubai, follow these tips to keep it clean during the pandemic.

Benefits of Driving It Once A Week

The best way to save your car from any serious damage is to take it out for a drive for at least 15 minutes once in a week. We all have been allowed to go out for essentials like medicines or grocery. So, whenever you need those, it is always a good idea to take that car out, provided of course you need to take all the precautionary measures. Even if the supermarket is not that far, take a longer route or drive around the block two or three to make sure you add 6 to 8km to the odometer.

Engine

Driving occasionally will help keep the fluids - transmission fluid (gear oil), engine oil, power-steering fluid, coolant – in circulation and also keep the numerous components well lubricated.

Battery

Batteries can easily become the first victim of extended car disuse. Therefore, yet another benefit of a weekly drive is that it enables the battery to charge up. Starting the car and leaving the same for 15 minutes is not good enough. You need to drive your automobile for at least 6 to 8km. This is the only way to prolong the age of the battery.

Tyres

Tyres are not only the key safety component of the batter but are also one of the most expensive features of a car. If you leave the car in a certain place for an extended period, with the normal running tyre pressure (between 32 and 35 Psi) their function can deteriorate sharply as they lose pressure with the passage of time.

Also, when the car is allowed to sit in one place for a certain period, you will witness the appearance of flat spots at the place where the rubber touches the tarmac. This is because of the weight of the vehicle. Tyres with flat spots is a symbol of failure at annual car inspection.

Other General Maintenance

Cleaning

Cleaning is yet another tip to maintain your car. Wash your car at least once in a week. The dust that accumulates can cause a disastrous impact on the paint of the car. Moreover, birds dropping is another big concern; as they are acidic, they can cause serious damage to your car’s paint. Therefore, a car wash or simple cleaning with a wet cloth can save you from a lot of troubles.

Fluids

Keeping fluids top-up is one of the most effective ways to enhance the well-being of your engine. You might have witnessed many showrooms comprising pre-owned cars for sale in Dubai which always remain in tip-top condition. The reason is that they keep changing the fluids of the car so as to avoid long-term damage.

You should also consider changing fluids by buying a bottle of recommended coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and top them up in the respective reservoirs to increase the efficiency of your vehicle.

In all, follow these tips to increase the longevity of the car even in this difficult situation.