Car Care Tips during the Enhanced Community Quarantine
While human health is the topmost priority during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, it also wouldn't hurt to make sure you give your car some tender, loving care while it sits idle on your garage during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
As many of you already know, cars that sit idle for extended periods are in danger of experiencing problems such as having a dead battery, flat spots in tires, belts, and wipers drying out, and rodents living in your car's engine compartment.
So, below are some practical car care and maintenance tips to keep your vehicle in good condition despite being rarely used during the ECQ.
Kapuso TV host and news anchor Arnold Clavio shared car care tips to fellow car enthusiasts on Instagram
1. Fill the gas tank all the way up
Having a full tank has two important benefits: it prevents condensation from accumulating inside the tank and hinders gasoline fumes from building up to dangerous levels.
2. Check and change the oil
You can do this yourself with the guidance of your owner's manual. Make sure to follow the automaker's advice in choosing the oil, and be careful not to overfill.
But, if you don't have the experience, tools, and equipment, it's much better and safer if you just find a local service center or a mobile mechanic that can do it for you.
3. Drive or start your car once a week to keep the battery charged
While driving your car may be the best way to prevent a dead battery, starting the car once a week is your next best bet.
If you can -- and your area isn't under total lockdown -- drive your car when you go grocery shopping once a week.
Or, take it for a spin around the block a few times, around 20 minutes or longer. Make sure it reaches full operating temperature before you shut it back down.
Driving your car once a week will help keep your car's moving parts lubricated and prevent your tires from getting deflated.
4. Do not set the parking brake if you're going to park it for more than 30 days
According to David Holecek, KC Complete Auto Service manager, and as shared by Arnold Clavio on Instagram, the brake pads or shoes can seize to the drum or the rotor, and cause problems down the road when you move it.
Arnold Clavio shares car maintenance tips amid quarantine
So, for automatic cars, simply place the car in 'park' before storing it. And for manual cars, place it in reverse' or 'first' gear and use chocks behind the car wheels to prevent rolling.
5. Prop up the wipers and use a sunshade
It's best to prop up the wipers in order to get the blades off the windshield if you won't be using your car for a long time. This will prevent the blades from getting stuck to the surface of the windshield.
The sunshade, on the other hand, will protect the steering wheel and dashboard from the blazing heat of the sun, especially if you don't have a covered parking space.
6. Clean the interior and exterior of your car before storing it
Maintaining a clean exterior will protect your car's paint. And, having a clean interior not only prevents any smells and mold from building up; but also rids your car of unseen bacteria and viruses that are probably lurking around.
Also, to keep rodents and other pests from taking residence in your car, make sure to clean up all food scraps.
Hope these will be of great help in keeping your car in good condition, while you keep yourself and loved ones safe from COVID-19 during the ECQ. Keep safe, mga Kapuso!
For more news on the Coronavirus Disease pandemic, go to GMA Network's COVID-19 page.
And for updates regarding the enhanced community quarantine, go to the ECQ page.
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