What should be noted when the car is left unused for a long time?

The time of social distancing to prevent the Covid-19 epidemic has lasted for many days, causing many car owners to worry that when the car is left unused for a long time, there will be effects, easy to be penetrated by rats and insects. . cause damage.

Instructions to preserve cars and motorbikes for a long time without use

To ensure that the vehicle always operates stably after many days of non-use, please note the following issues.

For cars

Wash and clean the car before parking

The first thing to do when you leave your car unused for a long time is to clean and wash the car thoroughly to remove dirt, dust on the body and details of the car.

At the same time, clean up all the food, water, garbage . because this can be a bait for mice and bugs when you leave the car for a long time. In addition, food and drinks left for a long time will also be damaged and cause odors to the interior compartment. Disconnect electronic devices attached to the vehicle such as dashcams, phone chargers, air purifiers, etc.

When you have finished cleaning and washing the car, you should also start the car engine for a while to let the standing water in some details dry out, limiting rust.

If possible, wax the car's exterior. Wax acts as a protective layer for car paint, avoiding fading caused by the sun, dirt, grease and rust.

Choose the right parking place

After the car has been cleaned and washed, the parking position is also very important because it affects more or less the durability of the vehicle. Do not park your vehicle on grass or soil, as the rising moisture can rust some parts of the vehicle. Make sure the parking area has a solid, covered floor so that the vehicle is not exposed to direct sunlight.

If you do not use the car for a long time, it is best to park it in a garage or a covered place.

In the case of forced parking outdoors, it is advisable to prepare a standard tarpaulin so that the car is not exposed to direct sunlight, limiting the impact on the painted surface as well as interior details.

Fill the petrol tank

Even if your car has been left unused for a long time, Ford technical engineers recommend that you also make sure to fill the gas tank because this helps prevent oxidation of the fuel tank. Oxidation is a chemical reaction between fuel and oxygen that results in the formation of a precipitate in the fuel tank and can cause damage to the vehicle if not cleaned properly before restarting.

Protect rubber parts

Use silicone rubber sealant spray on car doors and windows. This will prevent the rubber from cracking or melting, sticking to your body in hot weather.

Check tire pressure

If the car is left unused for a long time, it can cause tire pressure to drop. Tires that lack pressure when parked for a long time can cause tire deformation and damage. So, make sure you inflate both the main tire and the spare tire to the maximum standard pressure before suspending use.

Release the handbrake, use the tire insert tool

The handbrake when the car is not in use for a long time will cause the pressure from the brake pads on the brake disc to recede, or it may get stuck, rusty. So, if the car is left for a long time, you just shift lever to P mode for automatic vehicles or to first gear for manual vehicles.

Raise the wipers high

This simple tip will save you money and time after a long day of parking. Lift the wipers high and place under a cloth ball so that the wipers do not touch the windshield. Under the influence of heat, the wipers may be damaged or no longer work as efficiently as before.

Start the car at least once a week

Take at least 10 minutes a week to start the car and idling to allow oil and other fluids to circulate in the engine. If you don't have a battery charger, the engine will need to run longer to get more time to fully charge the battery. This will help preserve battery life and ensure your vehicle can start efficiently at all times.

Besides, this is also an opportunity for you to open the car door to circulate air in the car to avoid mold caused by the car being stuck for a long time, or turn on the car air conditioner for about 10-15 minutes. Along with that, you can also check the condition of the tires, electrical systems such as headlights, rear, turn signals .

Oil change and oil filter

When the car is left for a long time, the old oil in the engine can be deposited, dirt accumulates leading to damage when operating again. So contact your nearest garage to schedule a new oil filter and oil change service.

Don't forget to fill up with all other necessary fluids such as coolant and brake fluid. Taking these steps before taking a long break from your vehicle will save you time and can quickly restart your vehicle at any time.

For motorbikes

Car wash

Motorcycles used daily often cling to a lot of dirt, sand, etc. So, before you decide to leave your car for a long time, without using it, you should wash the car to clean the mud and dirt clinging to the fenders and undercarriage. machine…

Fill the fuel tank, tighten the cap

It is recommended to fill the fuel tank and add a fuel stabilizer to protect the fuel tank from rust and at the same time ensure fuel quality. Pay attention to screw the cap of the tank to prevent gasoline vapors from escaping, causing unpleasant odors and affecting the quality of the fuel in the tank.

Remove the battery to charge or start the car occasionally

The battery is an important part of the vehicle. If it is inactive for a long time, it will reduce the amount of electricity inside the battery, especially for the old one. Therefore, if you do not need to use the car for a long time, you should remove the battery to charge it. In case it is not convenient to disassemble, you can resort to the option of occasionally letting the engine start up for a few minutes.

Change engine oil, transmission, coolant

If you leave the car for a long time, you should change the engine oil, transmission . to ensure quality.

Motorcycles, scooters after a period of use will cause engine oil, transmission or cooling water to lose and gradually reduce the quality compared to the original. When kept for a long time not to be used, it can cause the remaining amount of engine oil, transmission or coolant to deposit, create a film, etc., affecting the operation of the engine.

Therefore, when determining that you do not use it often, you should pay attention to follow the periodic car maintenance schedule according to the manufacturer's recommendations. If you leave the car for a long time, you should change the engine oil, transmission or coolant (for some scooter models) to ensure quality.

Inflate the tires to the correct pressure, set up a stand

If the motorcycle is left unused for a long time in a condition where the tires are under-inflated (insufficient pressure), . over time, the weight of the vehicle will cause the tire rubber to be damaged and deformed. Therefore, you should pay attention to check the tire pressure and inflate the tire to the correct pressure indicated on the tire wall to avoid the condition of the wheel being inflated, deformed, etc. Besides, when parking the car for a long time, it is not used for a long time. It is advisable to erect a standing stand to help prevent the rear wheel from being weighed continuously, and at the same time to help the shock absorber system not be damaged.

Spray anti-rust oil on metal parts, let the car dry and cool

If necessary, after washing and drying, you should spray a preservative solution on metal parts, rubber systems, electrical wires, drive wires, or gas-access areas, etc. to avoid rat infestation. live, nest. Besides, should cover the car to avoid dust.