How to Keep an Unused Car Healthy

The recent COVID-19 restrictions have affected how often many Brick-area drivers actually get out and about in their cars. While at any time there are a variety of reasons why you might find yourself in a situation where you don’t drive all that often, the longer your car, truck, or SUV sits undriven can have a detrimental effect on the condition of your vehicle. The service team at Honda of Toms River has a few tips on how to care for a car that is rarely driven. 

Will My Car Battery Die if My Car isn’t Driven Regularly?

If your car sits idle for too long, your car battery will almost certainly lose its charge. However, how long is too long depends on the age of your battery and how well it has been taken care of. Here are some factors to consider:

• The high-tech features of today’s vehicles use multiple built-in computers which are always running whether the car is being driven or not. It could take only a week or two for them to drain the battery.
• Starting your car and letting it run for 10-15 minutes at least once a week can help keep your battery charged. If you do this with a car that is parked in a garage, make sure that the garage door is open to provide adequate ventilation.
• You may want to invest in a battery tender or minder, which is attached to your battery and plugged into an outlet in your garage to maintain the correct voltage.

Will My Gas Go Bad?

While the fuel system in your Honda is sealed, gasoline can degrade over time. Having a full tank can help to keep the gas from degrading, as well as reduce the chance of condensation. Taking brief drives helps keep the gas clean and your vehicle healthy. You may wish to use a fuel stabilizer additive if you have concerns about the gas in your unused vehicle. 

Will My Car Brakes Be Adversely Affected?

You may think that since you aren’t using your brakes they’ll be just fine, but that isn’t necessarily the case. If your car is parked outside in the Manahawkin area and isn’t driven for an extended period, the rotors could rust. It’s a good idea to take a short drive once a week, say for 10 minutes or so, to help keep any rust from building up on the brake rotors. Also, if your parking brake is engaged when your car is sitting idle, you should periodically set and release it. This will reduce tension on the parking brake cable.

Will My Tires Lose Pressure or Go Flat?

All car tires will lose pressure over time whether the vehicle is driven or not. Regularly checking the tire pressure is recommended to ensure that you’re safe and that your tires will last longer. If you expect that you won’t be driving your car for a while, you should overfill your tires slightly, no more than 5 to 10 psi, to help reduce the chance that any flat spots develop from sitting too long in one place. Regular tire rotations are key to getting the most out of your car tire lifespan. 

Get Professional Car Care at Honda of Toms River

Whether your car is due for an oil change or other maintenance or repair service, you can trust the auto service experts at Honda of Toms River. Don’t forget to check out our rotating service specials and coupons to take advantage of our current money-saving deals. Have questions? Contact our Service Center online!.