HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAR DURING #LOCKDOWN
With many of us stuck at home, and our cars sitting idle outside, now is the ideal time to try do all the little things that could also help our vehicles stay healthy. Actually it might also be a good time to de-clutter the garage as another way of keeping busy during this downtime.
We’ve compile a small list of car maintenance jobs that can all be done safely at home. it’s almost identical to the recommendations that we put up for summer car care but obviously now due to the lockdown, there is more time to get busy with it.
Wash and Wax (This will feel like you’re going to the gym ✅ ✅)
A simple wash can make your car look like brand spanking new or in the very least, fresh. With most professional car wash businesses closed, its a great time to do it yourself and give your car a proper hand wash. For this you will need a garden hose pipe, dedicated bucket and good mitt drenched in car soap. You can refer to this guide fo some tips on how to hand wash your car.
After washing and drying, consider following up with a 3 stage wax giving your car that maximum shine for the day when this lockdown is over. The process of waxing is actually equivalent to going to the gym as it will require a total of six applications of applying and wiping off the entire vehicle. Make sure you get quality car wax with excellent shine and protective qualities from Value Auto Parts.
Interior Clean, Clean, Clean Disinfect
It’s also a good time to get rid of all the junk from the boot and back seats. Pick up all the pens, receipts, orange peels, water-bottles, sweet wraps and crumbs that have become part of your car overtime.
Take out your floor mats and soak them while you get busy on the interior, vacuuming every inch thoroughly. Rinse the floor mats with clean water and let dry. Use a micro-fibre cloth dunked and rinsed in warm water & soap or a disinfectant to wipe down all interior surfaces. Use another dry micro-fibre cloth for the instrument cluster, being sure to wipe gently so as not to scratch the plastic cover.
Use a window cleaner on all glass surfaces, inside and out, works wonders. If you have an air compressor or a can of compressed air, gently blow out all crevices to get rid of crud and dust. De-clutter and organise anything that has to go back inside your car.
Check your ALL your filters
Besides checking Engine oil, coolant levels, brake fluid, and washer fluid, be on the lookout for leaks while the bonnet is open. Additionally, make sure to check your air filter, oil filter and fuel filter and refer to your service history for next service recommendations.
Equally important is the cabin filter, which is usually found behind the glove box, and will undoubtedly be filled with grime, leaves, pollen and dust. Some cars have it very difficult to access the cabin filter, so check the owner’s manual (most car manuals can be searched on google). These get really dirty and clogged after one year of use so changing them will ensure a proper flow of virus-free fresh air into your cabin and is recommended you change annually.
Fill her up ⛽️
If storing your car for a couple weeks, or up to 30 days, you should always fill the gas tank all the way up because that helps prevent moisture buildup that would get in your fuel system and then maybe affect the drivability of the car when you want to use it again. The price of fuel is considerably lower at this time so take advantage of that and shake her up.
Besides fuel, you also want to check your;
-Oil levels, (maybe change the oil),
-Battery needs to be maintained and charged at all times; so avoid jamming music from your car stereo as that would definitely drain the battery.
-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 tyre 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 Under shelter or use a Car Cover
Park under shelter or order a car cover from your closest Value Auto Parts branch so that you can protect her from sand, wind and other weather elements.
This is just a small list of what you could do to keep busy but there is always more. did we eave something out? have a question? let us know in the comments below. #KeepTheWheelsTurning