KANSAS CITY, Mo. — During this time of self quarantine and stay-at-home orders, it's important to pay attention to your vehicle if you aren't using it as much.
41 Action News caught up with professional auto workers at KC Complete Auto Service to learn about ways to keep your car in good shape as it sits in your driveway.
“If you plan on storing your car for a couple weeks, or up to 30 days, you should probably fill the gas tank all the way up,” said David Holecek, KC Complete Auto Service manager. “That helps prevent moisture buildup that would get in your fuel system and then maybe affect the drivability of the car when you do go to use it again.”
Holecek said the following tips are the best way to keep up your vehicle while it is not in use:
- Always want to make sure your oil is fresh and changed.
- The battery needs to be maintained and charged at all times.
- Start the car at least once or twice a week. Make sure it gets up to full operating temperature before you shut it back down.
- Make sure your psi is what is says on the door, and maybe even 5 psi higher than that if it's going to sit for an extended period of time.
- Park your car on wooden blocks underneath the tires to keep the cement from drawing the air pressure out of them.
- Clean your car before you store it, that will clean off any winter debris, salt, brine, and dirt underneath the car and on the outside of the car.
- Clean the inside of the car and that will prevent any smells or mold building up.
- DO NOT set the parking brake if you're going to park it for more than 30 days because the pads or shoes can seize to the drum or the rotor and cause problems down the road when you move it.
Holecek added that if you're going to be able to drive your car at least once a week, then you should just operate as normal.
If your vehicle is going to sit for two weeks or more, you might take these tips into consideration.
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