Best Maintenance Tips for Rarely Driven (Storage) Vehicles

Be it any vehicle, the mechanical parts can take a toll if you leave the car unused or unoperated for extended durations. Regular use of cars is essential to keep them in optimum condition. Several parts of your vehicle can spoil themselves when not in use. Here are a few maintenance tips that will help you take better care of your precious car!

Battery

One of the shocking facts is that most car owners are unaware that a car sitting quietly in their garage still consumes a battery. You might be wondering where does this battery go? The infotainment systems, digital MID, and other components use the battery to prevent data loss. Here are some tips for maintaining battery:

• Take your car out for random drives for 10-20 km once a week. This weekly drive is enough to keep the battery at its healthiest.

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Tyres

There is no doubt that tires wear out faster than any other car components. You'll notice a gradual loss of air in car tires that have been sitting out too long. These tips will help you prevent tire degradation:

• Once again, taking your car out for regular weekly drives can prevent tire wear. Doing this will slow down the process of air escaping the tires.
• Make sure to check the tyre pressure if your car has been sitting parked for months.

Brakes

Your car is meant to move and perform around the roads. So, the different components degrade more as compared to a running car. The brake disc rotors are prone to rust if you don't take the car out for a drive.

The good news is that this rusty layer is harmless. It doesn't pose any threat for car owners most of the time. However, if you come across abnormal brake noise, you must visit a mechanic shop.

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Fuel

Time is responsible for degrading anything, and your car's fuel is no exception. The fuel sitting unused on your car's tank can rot. This dirty fuel can clog the float, injectors, and jets in a carburettor. Here's what you can do about the fuel:

• For starters, use a fuel stabilizer.
• The second thing to do is drain all the bad fuel and clean the tank. But this tip might be more costly than using a stabilizer.

Paint

You might be thinking about what could go wrong with the paint of a car that has been sitting out for a while? Unfortunately, the dust and dirt particles that collect over time can be abrasive for paints. The paint might start chipping when you have limited use with your car.

• PPF coating or ceramic coating can go a long way towards protecting your car.
• You can also choose to wash the car and treat it with some wax before parking it for a long time.
• Use a car cover to protect the car from environmental and dust damage. 

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With these simple tips, you can ensure that your car is in tip-top condition!