What should be paid attention to when a car is not used frequently?
2 Answers
Matters needing attention when a car is not used frequently include: 1. Keep the car body clean and dry before parking, and remove accumulated water in time; 2. When parking outdoors, cover the car with a car cover to prevent direct sunlight and erosion by rain and snow; 3. Park in a relatively high place to avoid flooding during rain; 4. Park in a dry place to avoid corrosion of parts; 5. Park on a relatively flat place to keep the suspension system in a normal position; 6. Keep the battery fully charged before parking, and turn off all electrical appliances; 7. Remove the positive and negative terminals of the battery to reduce the discharge rate and prolong the service life.
Leaving a car unused for long periods can easily lead to problems. From my experience, it's essential to monitor the battery condition. The battery will drain if left unused for two weeks—last month, my car almost failed to start because it hadn't been driven. Now, I start the engine every ten days and let it run for 15 minutes to recharge. If the car remains unused for over a month, it's best to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery. Tires can deform if left bearing weight in the same spot for too long, so I move the car forward half a meter at the end of each month while checking the tire pressure to maintain it around 2.5 bar. Engine oil also oxidizes and deteriorates over time, so even if the mileage hasn't been reached, it should be changed every six months. Don’t forget about paint care either—last summer, I didn’t use a car cover, and after prolonged sun exposure, the hood’s paint turned whitish.
