These days more than ever, it is very likely that many of us should stop our vehicle for a long time. We offer you some guidelines to avoid breakdowns and problems due to the lack of use of it, in addition to recommendations on cleaning.
These are generic recommendations that each one must adapt to their particular circumstances, since the mechanics of each type of vehicle is very different. It is not comparable either that the vehicle is parked in a garage that outpatient. We must also adapt to the circumstances of each country regarding the order of confinement by the COVID-19 that each one has, to avoid breaking it.
Parking lot
The best option may seem covered parking (in normal circumstances that are), and many can think that it is best to wash the exterior of the car to disinfect it, but that is a mistake, in case the vehicle was infected the risk of infection will be much greater if we try to take it to wash that if we let the virus disappear by itself simply avoiding contact with the surface, if we leave the car on the exter It makes sun and a good temperature, the virus will remain active for a little time. The only thing that can be interesting to disinfect is the door shooter.
As for the interior of the vehicle, it depends, if we only use the vehicle (which should be normal) it would suffice with a previous disinfection of our hands when entering and exit, a disinfection of the handles, steering wheel and gear lever. If on the contrary we travel with someone (or we want to take the maximum precautions), if an internal cleaning could be interesting, yes, always carrying disposable protection gloves during cleaning. For deep cleaning, in addition to the dashboard, you don't have to forget the upholstery since our clothes are always in direct contact with it. If we carry gloves we should never touch our face with them, whether we use them for cleaning (essential) and for the usual use of the vehicle (recommended).
If our vehicle is going to stop for a long time
If we are going to be parked a long time it is advisable to perform certain checks and routines to avoid problems.
Battery
If possible, it is convenient to disconnect the battery so that it is not downloaded. And in the current situation, this operation should not be carried out on public roads, where no activity that is not justified is allowed. But if it can be done in a particular garage, it will be enough to disassemble the negative mass of the dough to keep the load for a few weeks.
And it will be taken into account that many modern cars need to introduce a code to work again after connecting it again. In other models, disconnect the battery, the distrust of the electronic system, which does not start later. Therefore, this operation requires consulting carefully what the vehicle maintenance manual indicates.
Tires
It is recommended that the tires have a little more pressure from the normal pressure, this will prevent them from deformed (maximum 20% more pressure). Ideally, if you can, it would be to move the car a few centimeters every week so that you do not always rest on the same area of the wheel. And very important, we will have to remember to reestablish the correct pressure when it circulates again.
Hand brake
Do not completely lift the handbrake lever, in the event that it is mechanical, to prevent it from grabbing over time. Leave a march on to immobilize the vehicle and, if necessary, block the wheels through wedges for greater security.
Fuel
It is highly recommended that the deposit always remains above half of its capacity, thus we will prevent sediments or water condensation from being created, which is very harmful to diesel engines.
Back to activity
Once the vehicle's inactivity period passes, we must take some measures for the start -up, obviously the greater the time during which we have not moved the vehicle, the more precautions we must have.
Logically, the first thing we must do is reconnect the battery (if we have disconnected it) and verify its load status, in addition to checking the pressure of the tires, putting them at normal pressure in case we have chosen to raise the pressure, for the period in which we have not used the vehicle.
Check liquid and fuel levels
It is recommended to review the level of the coolant and engine oil, in addition to brake fluid and gearbox oil. During the check, it is also advisable to look at the existence of a possible fuel leak that may have left the vacuum deposit.
Verify the straps and their status
It is advisable to review the status of all straps or chains of the vehicle, as they could have deteriorated considerably due to the period of inactivity. A distribution strap rupture can be fatal for the engine of a car and its repair is one of the most expensive.
Start the engine progressively
Inactivity in a vehicle is usually synonymous with problems when starting, although this should not become a standard. Therefore, when it comes to operation the engine of a car that has been stopped for a time we will have to do it progressively and without forcing the start.
If the start is not immediate and takes to put the system into operation, forcing it is the least recommended. Make the necessary attempts and never exceed 5 seconds in each of them, since otherwise the car starter could be seriously affected.
Keep the car between 5 and 10 minutes
Once we have managed to start the engine, it is very important to keep it slowed down for 5 or 10 minutes, without accelerating at any time. In this way each and every one of the systems will be put into operation and will be greased.
Once those 5 or 10 minutes of waiting have elapsed, we can start the march to continue checking that all the elements of the vehicle have adequate behavior during driving.
If the car does not start, use tweezers
If the starter operation has not been successful, it is recommended to use tweezers to check if the battery is the origin of the problem.
During the march, look at unconventional noises
It is possible that once we have started the march with our vehicle after it has been stopped for a long period of time, that we listen to metal noises or squeak. Depending on whether it is one thing or another, we must pay attention to different elements of our car.
In the event that we notice metal noises, it is advisable to wait a few minutes with the engine running to see if they persist. If so advisable, it will be to take the car to the workshop to check in depth if any piece has suffered premature wear or is seized by the oxide.
On the contrary, if the noise we perceive is similar to a squeak, it is likely that it is due to wear in one of the vehicle's straps, so they will also have to be checked individually to identify what their origin is.
Likewise, it is very important to be patients throughout the process and make the start easy since not all vehicles start the first after a period of inactivity. In addition, other factors can also influence the weather, or the geographical point where our car is located.
