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 general recommendations that everyone should adapt to their own circumstances, as the mechanics of each type of vehicle are very different. The situation is also not comparable between a vehicle parked in a garage and one left outdoors. We must also adapt to the COVID-19 lockdown orders in each country to avoid violating them.
Parking lot
The best option might seem to be covered parking (under normal circumstances, it is), and many of you might think that washing the exterior of the car is the best way to disinfect it, but that's a mistake. If the vehicle is infected, the risk of contagion will be much greater if we try to take it to be washed than if we let the virus disappear on its own by simply avoiding contact with the surface. If we leave the car outside, even if it gets dirtier, if it's sunny and the temperature is warm, the virus will remain active for a very short time. The only thing that might be worth disinfecting is the door handle.
Regarding the vehicle's interior, it all depends. If we're the only ones using the vehicle (which should be the norm), simply disinfecting our hands before entering and exiting, and disinfecting the door handles, steering wheel, and gearshift, should suffice. However, if we're traveling with someone (or want to take maximum precautions), a thorough interior cleaning might be advisable, always wearing disposable protective gloves during the process. For deep cleaning, in addition to the dashboard, don't forget the upholstery, as our clothing is always in direct contact with it. If we're wearing gloves, we should never touch our face with them, whether we're using them for cleaning (essential) or for regular vehicle use (recommended).
IF OUR VEHICLE IS GOING TO BE PARKING FOR A LONG TIME
If we are going to be parked for a long time, it is advisable to perform certain checks and routines to avoid problems.
Battery
If possible, it's advisable to disconnect the battery to prevent it from discharging. Under the current circumstances, this should not be done in public, where any activity that isn't justified is prohibited. However, if it can be done in a private garage, simply disconnecting the negative terminal will be enough to preserve the charge for a few weeks.
It's important to note that many modern cars require a code to be entered to restart after the battery is reconnected. In other models, disconnecting the battery can cause the electronic system to malfunction, preventing the car from starting afterward. Therefore, this procedure requires carefully consulting the vehicle's maintenance manual for specific instructions.
Tires
It's recommended that your tires have slightly higher pressure than normal to prevent them from deforming (a maximum of 20% more pressure). Ideally, if possible, you should move the car a few centimeters each week so that it doesn't always rest on the same area of the tire. And very importantly, remember to restore the correct pressure when you drive again.
Hand brake
Do not fully release the handbrake lever, if it is mechanical, to prevent it from seizing up over time. Leave the vehicle in gear to immobilize it and, if necessary, block the wheels with wheel chocks for added safety.
Fuel
It is highly recommended that the tank always remain above half its capacity; this will prevent the formation of sediment or water condensation, which is very harmful to diesel engines.
RETURN TO ACTIVITY
Once the vehicle's inactivity period has passed, we must take some steps to get it started. Obviously, the longer the vehicle has been sitting unused, the more precautions we must take.
Logically, the first thing we should do is reconnect the battery (if we have disconnected it) and check its charge level, as well as check the tire pressure, returning them to normal pressure if we have chosen to increase the pressure, for the period in which we have not used the vehicle.
Check fluid and fuel levels
It is recommended to check the coolant and engine oil levels, as well as the brake fluid and transmission fluid. During the check, it is also advisable to look for any fuel leaks that may have left the tank empty.
Check the straps and their condition
It's advisable to check the condition of all the vehicle's belts and chains, as they may have deteriorated considerably due to the period of inactivity. A broken timing belt can be fatal for a car's engine, and its repair is one of the most expensive.
Start the engine gradually
Vehicle inactivity often leads to starting problems, but this shouldn't be the norm. Therefore, when restarting a car engine that has been parked for a while, it should be done gradually and without forcing the start.
If the car doesn't start immediately and takes a while to engage, forcing it is the worst thing you can do. Make as many attempts as necessary, but never exceed 5 seconds on each attempt, otherwise the car's starter motor could be seriously damaged.
Leave the car idling for 5 to 10 minutes
Once the engine is running, it's very important to let it idle for 5 to 10 minutes without accelerating at any point. This will allow all the systems to function and lubricate themselves.
Once those 5 or 10 minutes of waiting have passed, we can start driving to continue checking that all the elements of the vehicle behave properly while driving.
If the car doesn't start, use jumper cables
If the starting operation has not been successful, it is recommended to use jumper cables to check if the battery is the source of the problem.
During the march, pay attention to unusual noises
It's possible that once we start driving our vehicle after it's been parked for a long time, we might hear metallic noises or squeaks. Depending on whether it's one or the other, we should pay attention to different parts of our car.
If you notice metallic noises, it's advisable to wait a few minutes with the engine running to see if they persist. If they do, it's best to take the car to a garage for a thorough inspection to check for premature wear or rust.
Conversely, if the noise we perceive is similar to a squeaking sound, it is likely due to wear on one of the vehicle's belts, so we will also have to check them individually to identify their origin.
It's also very important to be patient throughout the process and start the car calmly, as not all vehicles start on the first try after a period of inactivity. Other factors, such as the weather or the geographical location of the vehicle, can also play a role.
Sep 14, 2025