Essentials of Maintaining Less Used Cars

New Delhi

Due to certain circumstances, car owners cannot use cars as much as they wouldve wanted. But these cars need regular maintenance to maintain their health.

Key Highlights

Over 60 million cars are produced every year, most of them remain unused
Not using the car often decreases its lifespan severely.
Cars that have not been used tend to lose out a lot on the resale value

Cars are curious machines. They need to be used regularly, otherwise; they might develop problems that later become unsolvable. There are several reasons why car owners might not be able to use their cars as often as they would have desired. Having said that, these cars also require maintenance. Several tips should be followed for maintenance purpose. Make sure to check out the entire list since all of these tips are important for maintaining the car properly. Photo Credit: unsplash.com Moving the car (even a little if possible) This might be the most obvious step. The fact is, the car needs to move, even in the smallest capacity. The distance doesn't need to be huge. Even a few rounds around the residential block can do the trick. This goes a long way in maintaining the health of the car. Photo Credit: unsplash.com Maintaining the oil change schedule Oils that sit idle tend to degrade over time. That could damage the pistons and the engine entirely. The recommended thing to do is get the oil changed every six months even if the car is not being used. Refraining from using handbrakes suddenly The handbrakes tend to get jammed after prolonged periods of non-usage. The best thing is to avoid using the handbrakes before they are serviced. Use the normal brakes or keep the gear at P while parking. Checking the tyre pressure An idle tyre starts to lose air over long periods of non-usage. Customers might notice flat tyres when they suddenly think about using the car after months. It is advised to keep an eye on the tire pressure. Get it refilled as soon as the tires look a bit less. Photo Credit: unsplash.com Filling up the tank Over long periods of no usage, moisture tends to develop inside the tank. The best thing to do is add an additive the next time the customer is getting the tank filled. The additive will keep out the moisture. Filling the tank up to the brim will not allow for moisture deposits. Cleaning the exterior Small items like twigs that get permanently stuck in the car parts might cause serious damage. The best thing to do is clean the car once in a while. After the car has been cleaned and dried, cover the car with a special cloth to prevent further dirt from reaching the car surface. Cleaning the interior The interior needs as much cleaning as the interior. Once in a while, take out the trash from inside the car. Use a disinfectant and microfiber cloth to clean the surfaces and keep them sanitized. Disconnecting the battery The battery terminal cables should be removed to prevent the battery from being discharged! Taking care of an unused car is extremely important to maintain the car running and prevent any irreversible damages.