Leaving your car parked for a few days will rarely result to a mechanical issue. That being said, a lot can happen when a vehicle is left idle for longer periods. This could leave it vulnerable to problems with your battery, brakes, and tires. So, if you’re planning on taking a longer time-out from driving then you need to keep an eye out for these three issues to watch out for when you’re ready to get back on the road.
- Flat Tires
Cars are heavy. Hence, one or more flat tires may be the most obvious sign a car has been sitting too long. This is as a result of all that weight resting on whatever side of the tire is in contact with the ground.
Recommendations:
- Inspect your tire pressure regularly at least every 15 days.
- Keep the recommended inflation pressure in your tires during the prolonged parking time to reduce the chances of developing flat spotting.
- Finally, depending on how long the car sat, consider making your first stop at any Tire World branch for a tire inspection, repair, or replacement.
- Dead Batteries
Just like the tires, car batteries slowly lose their charge due to disuse. Hence, most likely you’ll need to either jump-start or replace the battery altogether. Whereas, driving allows the battery to recharge and maintain its expected battery life.
Recommendations:
- If your car isn’t starting and you suspect a dead battery is to blame, grab some jumper cables and ask a neighbor or friend for a quick jump.
- Get a battery test done from your nearest Tire World branch.
- Get your car battery replaced with a new one if found necessary.
- Leaks
Extended idle periods of your car left parked and or unattended could affect your vehicle’s fluids i.e. brake, transmission fluid and motor oil. The composition of these fluids breaks down over time causing them to fail or leak out.
Recommendations:
- Inspect the area underneath your vehicle for any signs of leaking.
- Head to your nearest Tire World branch for a complete vehicle inspection and service.
Conclusion
We can all agree that life happens and sometimes, you may decide to go on an occasional vacation or switch to working from home. No matter the reason resulting to you leaving your vehicle unused for a while a little maintenance and inspection go a long way.
We highly recommend a complete vehicle inspection from your nearest car care experts. At Tire World, we'll inspect your brakes, battery, tires, and so much more to evaluate the potential damage of long-term parking, so you can safely get back on the road.