5 Ways to Care for a Car that is Rarely Used for a Long Time

10 April 2025

Many people with various activities rarely use their personal cars. Usually, the main reason is that they are out of town or engaged in activities with a company car. This causes their personal cars to be left in the garage and not warmed up. However, it is important to know that even if a car is rarely used, it still needs maintenance. Even for cars that are not used for a long time, you must perform special maintenance to keep the car in good condition.

How to Maintain a Car That is Rarely Used

Here are ways to maintain a car that is rarely used so that it does not become neglected and is ready to be used whenever you need it.

1. Ensure the Car is Clean

Start by washing the car thoroughly to protect the exterior, such as the paint, from stubborn dirt that can cause corrosion. Next, clean the interior of your car from trash and dust using a vacuum cleaner. Do not leave the car dirty for an extended period.

2. Pay Attention to Engine Oil

Make sure the engine oil in your car is at a sufficient level when leaving the car, as having full engine oil helps maintain the engine's condition. If necessary, replace it with new oil to keep the engine in good shape. Additionally, after finishing, ensure that no oil is spilled anywhere because the engine should also be clean if the car will be left for a long time.

3. Fuel Tank Should Also Be Full

Before leaving the car, make sure the fuel tank is full. The goal is to minimize the air space in the tank that can cause condensation (dew) in cold conditions (at night). The dew that melts when it gets hot (during the day) will lower the quality of the fuel and, if too severe, can disrupt engine performance.

4. Ensure Electrical System is Safe and Disconnect Battery Terminals

Disconnect the battery cable/terminal to reduce the risk of the battery being damaged or losing power. When disconnecting the battery, start with the negative cable and then the positive cable. When reconnecting, start with the positive cable and then the negative cable.

5. Park on Level Ground

Try to park the car on level ground. If the parking area is not level, you can use wheel chocks and do not use the handbrake. Using the handbrake for too long can cause the brake pads to stick and the brake springs to stretch for a long time, reducing their elasticity. Additionally, cover the car with a special blanket to prevent damage to the paint, especially if the car is parked outdoors.