Long-term car ownership without use is not unusual. Actually, leaving the car parked for several days has grown more common since practically everyone works from home, some even remotely. But even in normal circumstances, people frequently leave their cars unattended for several days when they are going on a long vacation or when they need to move but can't take their cars with them right once. When such circumstances arise, the vehicle experiences some unnecessary wear and tear and needs more maintenance to get back in working order.
1. Avoid Engaging the Handbrake
Handbrake engagement is only habitual when the engine is turned off and the vehicle is parked. Nevertheless, be sure to deactivate the handbrake if you intend to park your automobile for an extended period. An extended use of the handbrake may cause the brake pads to get adhered to the discs or drums, resulting in further deterioration. Consequently, when you want to leave your car for a long time it is preferable to avoid using the handbrake. It can be stopped from rolling by using wheel chocks or by placing a piece of brick or wood. Furthermore, the vehicle can be left in first gear.
2. Opt for Indoor Parking or Use a Cover
Parking your automobile indoors is the second piece of advice in our long-term automotive storage guide. By doing this, you will keep your car cleaner and lessen the damage that rain and sunlight cause. Additionally, always remember to use a car cover when parking outside. By doing this you will be safeguarding your car's paint job once more. Even small scratches from the dust will be prevented on your paint thanks to it. If you do keep your cars inside, do not, however, cover them with a car cover. You can prevent any kind of moisture build-up in the humid weather by doing this.
3. Remove Spark Plugs and Apply Oil
Spark plug maintenance is the next item on our list of car storage advice. Remove the spark plugs and spray some oil into the plug sockets before replacing the plugs if you intend to keep your car for an extended period. By keeping moisture out of the cylinder head this will assist you to prevent any kind of rust buildup. Additionally, gasoline additives that provide an engine's internal surfaces with a protective coating can be used. But be careful not to add too much oil—a few drops should be plenty.
4. Interior Cleaning
Although it may seem apparent, the following piece of advice in our guide on long-term car storage is something that many of us frequently overlook when it comes time to store a car. It is generally advisable to thoroughly clean the inside of the car before leaving it. Verify that nothing remains within, including food crumbs. Additionally, keep old water bottles and newspapers out of the house since they can rot and harm upholstery, floor mats, and even electrical wiring. It is therefore important to give your automobile a full interior cleaning and to leave an air freshener in it before leaving it for an extended period.
5. Fill up the fuel tank
Many people believe that when storing an automobile for an extended period, it is advisable to leave very little petrol in the tank. But this is a grave misperception. To keep the fuel tank from rusting, one should always put adequate fuel in the tank before leaving a car unattended for an extended amount of time. Add some fuel additives. By doing this you will keep the tank from rusting because no moisture will enter it.
6. Battery Care and Maintenance
It is best to unplug the automobile battery before leaving it for an extended period. To stop corrosion, grease or petroleum jelly should be applied to the wire ends and battery connections. Additionally, ensure sure the water level is topped off and the battery is fully charged before leaving the car unattended for an extended period. The battery needs to be kept out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry location.
7. Protect the Paintwork
If your car is left outside for an extended period, the paint may experience significant wear and tear. Due to the tendency of dust and moisture to infiltrate through covers, this can still occur. You should properly clean the paintwork of your car to avoid any damage by getting rid of all the dirt and grime. After that, clean and wax the vehicle to keep moisture out before covering it with a car cover.
8. Put the car on jacks
Extended periods of parking can cause flat spots in an automobile's tires. To prevent this, make sure the automobile doesn't rest on its wheels by using four jacks or four bricks or blocks of wood. Tyre damage that is not repairable will be avoided.
9. Change Fluids and Filters
The second piece of advice on our list of the greatest ways to store cars is to change the filters and fluids, like engine oil, before leaving the vehicle parked for an extended amount of time. It is important to remember that used oil contains corrosive materials such as sludge, metal filings, and moisture. If you leave this oil in the engine, it could cause important parts to corrode. Therefore, it's advisable to replace all of the filters and change the oil before keeping the automobile parked for an extended period. To ensure that the new oil is distributed throughout the engine, please drive the vehicle for a little while before parking it.
10. Maintain Proper Tire Inflation
The final piece of advice in our long-term car storage guide is to make sure your tires are properly inflated, as this can assist in preventing sidewall fractures from forming and also keep flat patches from forming. Additionally, make sure there are no leaks by inspecting every valve.
You may efficiently store your automobile for extended periods while reducing wear and tear and maintaining its best possible condition for future usage according to these detailed instructions.