Looking for reliable vehicle maintenance services? Although the government has now lifted all restrictions across several states, Australia still faces COVID-19 dangers.

The drop in COVID cases is more than just comforting but no one is sure how long this downturn is going to last. While people are getting back to their normal lives, it’s always better to take preventive measures just to put you and your family on the safer side.

To do so, you can train yourself to become a little handier at running errands, repairing electric items, and even keeping up with total vehicle maintenance from the comfort of your home.

You can not only save money this way but also add to the list of your skills and prevent the spread of COVID-19. In all likelihood, if the second wave hits, your vehicle will also be idle.

It is critical to remember a few key points to ensure that it remains in good operating order and is free of problems in case of an emergency. It’s always important to take good care of your car during a lockdown because it saves you time and money.

Furthermore, carelessness during this time can result in long-term damage, or you could be in for a bad surprise when you return to your car after the lockdown. Here are some common vehicle maintenance tricks for keeping your ride safe during the lockdown.

Keeping The Ignition Engaged Is The Key To Vehicle Maintenance

Vehicles are just like your everyday machines, and all machines work best when they are kept in operation. So, start your car every few days and make sure all of the systems, including the air conditioner, are turned on.

This will not only keep them in good shape, but it will also allow you to diagnose any defects or niggles well before they are ready to hit the road. Take your car for a quick spin within the confines of your civilization or colony if the conditions allow.

If that isn’t possible, keep moving your automobile forward and backward to keep it from becoming stuck for too long. Flat areas on the tires will be avoided as a result of this. When you keep your vehicle idle for too long, you only apply pressure on one section of the tire tube.

This could result in harm. So, just move it about to give it a chance to breathe and stretch. This could be the most basic pointer to easy vehicle maintenance during the lockdown.

Park The Car In Gear Instead Of Using The Handbrake

While most automakers recommend keeping the handbrake engaged when parked, doing so can cause the brakes to seize and stop functioning over time. So, instead of pulling the handbrake while parking, put the vehicle in gear.

If parked on a downhill grade, OEMs recommend leaving the car in reverse gear; if parked on an upward gradient, OEMs recommend leaving the vehicle in first gear wheel support using chocks/bricks that are readily available at home.

We’ve all been taught to apply the handbrake whenever we park; after all, it’s parking 101. When it comes to leaving a vehicle parked for a seriously long time like in a lockdown, using the handbrake can cause mechanical issues.

On a typical day, we utilize the handbrake because we know it will only be for a few hours but in the event of a lockdown keeping your handbrake engaged for an extended amount of time may cause it to clog. Instead, we recommend that you use the gear lock, particularly the reverse gear.

If your vehicle has a manual transmission, we advise you to leave it in gear if it’s been sitting for a long time. However, in an automatic car, put it in Park while still using the handbrakes to avoid putting the entire vehicle’s weight on the transmission.

Take Care Of The Paint And The Overall Exterior

To avoid damage from prolonged exposure to direct sunshine, it is usually a good idea to park your vehicle in a shady place. Parking your car in a garage would be the ideal option for vehicle maintenance during the lockdown but a car cover is also a viable option.

Wash your automobile regularly to avoid long-term damage to the paint from dirt, bugs, and bird droppings. A pail of water, some auto shampoo, and a microfiber cloth might suffice.

Waxing and polishing your car, if you enjoy spending hands-on time with it, could also be a good idea. Invest in a nice car cover whether your car is parked on the street or in your driveway.

This protects your car from severe heat, keeps it clean, protects the paint from micro scratches, and keeps it free of bird poop. We recognize that repeatedly fitting and unfitting the cover is inconvenient, but this simple habit has numerous advantages.

If the vehicle’s roof and bonnet become too filthy due to bird droppings, the sooner they can be cleaned up, the better.

Brim Up The Fuel Tank

While leaving your car idle for an extended period of time in a lockdown, make sure its fuel tank is full. It’s not only a headache you won’t have to deal with in an emergency, but it also helps prevent corrosion in the tank and fuel lines.

The air in the tank may also condense and turn to water vapor which may settle in the fuel tank turning detrimental to the engine. This is one of the least talked about methods of vehicle maintenance during the lockdown but having a healthy fuel tank is quite crucial.

Conduct A Routine Battery check

Even the most inexperienced car owners should be aware that the battery drains even while the car is not in use. Start your vehicle once a week and let it run for at least 10-15 minutes to allow the alternator to refill the juice and prevent it from becoming discharged.

This will warm the oils and circulate them around the engine while retaining their viscosity. If this isn’t possible and the car will be inactive for a month or more, we recommend disconnecting the battery’s negative connection to prevent discharge.

This simple action could spare you the trouble of having to jump-start your vehicle in an emergency and vehicle maintenance would be a piece of cake.

Why is vehicle maintenance important?

Maintaining your vehicle even when you are not driving makes you a responsible car owner and this comes with added benefits like car safety, increased performance, better fuel economy, and whatnot.

Moreover, having a dependable means of transportation during a medical emergency is a blessing and is only attainable if you have maintained it. Regular vehicle maintenance prevents you and your vehicle from an abrupt and possibly expensive repair like a battery replacement or even a transmission replacement.

You don’t have to be an auto expert for vehicle maintenance during the lockdown. Googling some basic vehicle maintenance tricks is more than just enough. Even if you follow the above-mentioned tips, your vehicle will be more than just fine.