Many cars will be parked in the driveway or garage for at least another month, as a result of the statewide Stay-At-Home Order urging residents to shelter in place, unless they are making essential trips, as outlined by the executive order.
According to a news release from AAA-The Auto Club Group, state figures show that residents already are driving less, in an attempt to ‘flatten the curve.’
“Leaving the car unused for an extended period of time could leave it vulnerable to problems with your battery, brakes and tires,” said Mark Jenkins, AAA spokesman, in the release.
“There are a few simple things you can do to make sure your vehicle is ready to roll when it’s time to hit the road again,” Jenkins added.
The auto group offers these tips for longer-than-expected parked vehicles:
- Battery boost. Start your vehicle every couple of days to keep the battery at a full state and prevent deterioration. Let the engine run for a few minutes to recharge, then turn it off.
- Tire pressure. Add 10 psi of pressure (more than usual) to each tire to prevent flat spots from forming on the tires. You can also move the vehicle a couple of feet periodically.
- Windshield wiper placement. Prop up the wiper arms so the blades are off the windshield. This way the wipers will not get stuck to the glass.
- No parking brake. Do not use the parking brake when storing the vehicle. The brake could become frozen, and the brake pads could rust the rotors or the brake shoes could distort the drums. For an automatic transmission, simply put the vehicle in park. For a manual transmission, put it in first gear or reverse gear and use wheel chocks to help hold the vehicle in place.
- Sun shade. If your car is always outdoors and exposed to the sun, use a sun shade to prevent UV rays from deteriorating the dashboard and steering wheel.
Published April 15, 2020
