Cars are highly convenient devices that allow us to live as we like, save us time, and keep us in touch with our loved ones. However, the maintenance of a car can be a cumbersome process. Besides care, car problems arise when you go on a vacation and have to ensure the safety of your vehicle.
We all have onerous obligations to our families and jobs, each of which may require different things from us, but car maintenance shouldn’t be overlooked. If you don’t prepare and secure your automobile before leaving for a vacation, it can cause problems when you return.
If left to nature’s devices, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll need a new battery, and you might even encounter more severe problems like engine difficulty. With a bit of knowledge, you can spare yourself unnecessary expenses and safeguard your vehicle
1. Find a storage unit
Before finalizing whether you want to keep your car in the garage or somewhere else, you need to know how long you are traveling. If you are traveling for a week, you can easily place the car on the porch. But for longer durations, it’s unsafe just to leave your automobile lying about without supervision.
As an owner, you might think twice before parking your car for an extended time close to a friend’s house. With each additional day, the car’s likelihood of being stolen or broken into increases. Since vehicles don’t comprise a significant investment, you might not want to keep it so exposed.
You’ll need a long-term storage option when you’re on the road for more than a few months, such as a year. Unlike short-term vacationers, you might be renting out your home or placing your belongings in storage, making it impossible to leave your car in the garage.
Contrary to popular belief, you have various options for long-term car storage, like StorageArea.com, depending on your degree of comfort, car worth, and budget.
2. Maintain cleanliness and tidiness
If, individually, you feel that the garage is the best area to keep the car, then keep it there. This will shield it from the weather and maintain a reasonably constant temperature.
Consider obtaining a weatherproof car cover if you leave the car outside. This will aid in maintaining the cleanliness of the vehicle and offer adequate sun protection.
Getting the car washed while keeping it idle for months may seem complicated, but it is a task that shouldn’t be missed. Hire someone or ask a friend to clean it regularly because bird droppings or water stains can harm your car’s paint. You can also apply a layer of wax to the automobile for further defense.
3. Keep a full tank
Filling the car tank with petrol is imperative if you anticipate keeping the automobile in storage for longer than 30 days. As a result, moisture will not build up inside the fuel tank, and the seals won’t dry out.
To avoid ethanol build-up and shield the engine from varnish and rust when driving for extended periods, you must also buy a gasoline stabilizer. This fuel stabilizer will keep the petrol from degrading for at least 12 months.
Additionally, you should get the engine oil changed if you plan to store the car for more than 30 days. According to car manufacturers, old engine oil contains impurities that could harm the engine and decrease engine life.
4. Be wary of Rodents
If you keep your car in the garage, it will remain dry and moderately warm. Regrettably, those are the same two characteristics that attract mice and rats to a garaged car. There are a lot of places in the vehicle for animals to hide and stuff for them to chew on, and the chances of car damage rise exponentially.
As a result, attempt to seal up any openings where a mouse can sneak in, like an air vent or an exhaust pipe. For this, steel wool works wonderfully. Then, cover the outside of the car with mothballs or cotton swabs that have been dipped in peppermint oil. It is reported that the stench scares mice away.
Additionally, you can set out a couple of mousetraps and some rat poison if you want to be more proactive. Just make sure someone can occasionally check the garage for rodent infestations.
5. Schedule Regular Drives
When leaving for an extended period, ask someone to take your car for a 15-minute drive every two weeks to keep the battery charged. If no one can drive your vehicle, you should disconnect the battery or buy a trickle charger.
Additionally, if the brake pads are in touch with the rotors for a long, they may fuse and lose effectiveness. The safest action to prevent brake failure is getting a tire stopper.
Conclusion
While you are away on vacation, it’s important that your car is safe and secure, and keeping in mind the factors mentioned above can ensure that nothing happens to your car and you come back to your vehicle as if you weren’t away.
