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Are you someone who drives less frequently? Do you have a vehicle that sits for long periods of time without use? Even when you're not using your vehicle much, or even at all, it's important to keep up on its maintenance. The longer your car sits, the more risk there is of causing permanent damage or finding yourself with an unwelcome repair bill. Making sure that you protect the exterior, battery, and engine will preserve your vehicle and ensure that it is ready to run when you're back in the driver's seat.
It might seem like a sitting car should require less maintenance. After all, it's not being driven often, so everything should last longer, right? In reality, cars are designed to be driven, so keeping a vehicle parked for an extended amount of time can lead to unwanted results. But not to worry if you fall into this category of drivers. Preventive measures can be taken to help you keep your car in top condition the next time you start it.
Franconia Service Center Liberty has a few simple steps that low-mileage drivers can follow to help keep their cars in good running condition.
Start your vehicle and drive it around at least once every other week. Engine oil settles over time. By running your car, you help circulate the oil throughout the engine. This circulation is necessary to lubricate the engine’s components, keeping them from drying out and cracking, which can lead to costly repairs down the line. Other fluids in your car, like transmission fluid and brake fluid, also need circulation. Regular operation of the car helps to evenly distribute these fluids and prevent them from settling too long in one part of their respective systems. This keeps the seals moist and prevents them from drying out.
When a car is driven, the movement also helps to work the brake pads, which in turn cleans off any rust that might have started to form on the rotors. Rust is a big problem for cars that sit idle, not just on the brakes but in other areas as well, like the exhaust system.
Car batteries lose charge overtime, and the easiest way to prevent a dead battery is to drive your car at regular intervals. Letting your vehicle run for at least 20 minutes will help prevent battery discharge. Keeping your battery charged is one of the most important measures to take if you drive less frequently. Simply going for a short drive every so often can keep the battery in good condition.
If your vehicle is not being driven for a long period of time, you can also choose to disconnect the battery to prevent corrosion and discharge.
Even though you drive less, keeping up with your preventative maintenance schedule is still important. Oil changes at the proper time intervals, regular brake service, air conditioning service, wheel alignment, tire rotations, and other services are still needed periodically for optimum performance. There are a few reasons for this. One is that age matters as much as mileage. While it's true that many aspects of a car's maintenance schedule are determined by how many miles it's driven, time also plays a role. Certain components and fluids degrade over time, not just with mileage. For example, engine oil can absorb moisture and lose its effectiveness, regardless of whether the car has been driven or not. The other automotive fluids, such as brake fluid, coolant, and transmission fluid, can also deteriorate over time, and some may absorb moisture, which can lead to system failures. Keeping up with the maintenance schedule allows these fluids to be checked and changed as necessary.
Tires lose air pressure over time, even if the car isn't driven. Additionally, the risk of developing flat spots increases when a car sits idle. Part of your car's maintenance is checking tire pressure and rotating the tires to promote even wear. You should continue to do this when the vehicle isn't being driven frequently. Older tires that are kept idle are more prone to deterioration of the rubber, causing cracking, flaking, bulging, or discoloration. Carefully inspect the tires before taking the car out on the road.
Tires with flat spots or signs of deterioration may need to be swapped for new tires. Periodically moving your vehicle can help prevent flat spots.
Caring for your vehicle will keep it ready to use when you need it and help it run reliably for years to come. With your car parked and not in use, it can accumulate gunk and debris on the exterior that can have lasting effects on your vehicle's paint. There can also be damage to the interior, such as the dash and seats, due to prolonged sun exposure. Use protectants on your interior and keep the exterior clean by washing it yourself or visiting a car wash.
Using a car cover or storing your vehicle in a garage will protect the paint and interior to keep your vehicle looking great.
When you need maintenance for a vehicle that isn't driven often, contact Franconia Service Center Liberty in Alexandria, VA. We will assist with all your automotive maintenance and repair needs.
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