Know Tips for Caring for Your Car During the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic that is still affecting Indonesia has greatly impacted the aspects of life. All activities that allow physical contact are restricted. In an effort to accelerate the handling and mitigation of the increasingly widespread COVID-19, the government has implemented work from home (WFH) regulations. This affects all aspects of your life, including your car which is rarely used, so you need tips for car maintenance.
The implementation of Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) by the government has an impact on you with the requirement to work from home (WFH), thus changing your daily routine. This change in routine causes vehicles, especially the car that you usually use daily, to be idle in the garage.
Tips for Car Maintenance During the Pandemic
Although not used every day, your personal car still requires maintenance because it may not be in optimal condition due to being unused for a long time. The car will be a reliable vehicle for safe travel, especially in emergencies, such as buying essential and medical supplies, so it is important for you to maintain your car. Here are some tips for car maintenance during WFH.
1. Check the battery condition
When the car is stationary, the battery is not recharged, leading to a decrease in electrical reserve even if the car's electrical system is off. This will also happen when the electrical system is on. The decrease in electrical reserve is influenced by the age and quality of the battery. Thus, the older the battery, the easier it is to lose its electrical storage capacity.
To prevent the battery from draining, you can maintain it by starting the engine every day without needing to turn on other electrical systems for about 10-15 minutes. You can adjust the warming time depending on the condition. You can also run the car occasionally to maximize battery charging, for example, when going out to buy daily necessities.
2. Check the engine condition
An engine that is not started for a long time will cause oil or lubrication to settle in the reservoir, reducing lubrication in the upper parts. To keep the engine smooth, start the engine regularly (at least once a day) and do not press the gas pedal when the engine is first started.
3. Check tire pressure
A car that is parked for too long will cause the part of the tire that touches the ground to become flat. This will make the tire shape not perfectly round. Therefore, when the car is driven, it will feel unbalanced.
A car that is left unused for too long will also cause a decrease in tire pressure. This happens because the rubber cover changes texture or due to uneven parts between the tire and the rim.
To prevent the tires from wearing out quickly and losing pressure, you can drive the car for a while (forward and backward) or in and out of the garage. Make sure that the position of the rim and tire cover also changes the point of contact. This can be achieved by taking the car in and out of the garage so that the tires do not rest on one point for too long.
4. Check the fuel tank and fuel condition
The humid air brought by Indonesia's tropical climate will cause condensation in the tank and fuel lines if the engine is not started for a long time. This causes the fuel to mix with water, reducing fuel quality and potentially causing rust if the tank/fuel lines are made of iron.
If your car uses bio-diesel fuel, do not let it sit for too long, as sediment can form that may clog the fuel lines.
To avoid this condition, when warming up the car, check the water separator indicator and fuel filter on the meter cluster. You can check and replace the fuel filter regularly. Or you can add an additive to maintain fuel quality.
5. Check the brake disc
Humid air combined with rainy weather will affect your car, especially if parked outdoors. Problems usually occur with the brake disc becoming rusty after a few days of not being used. This will reduce brake performance and cause noise when used again. To keep the brake disc in optimal condition, you can drive the car for a while while warming up the engine.
6. Check the wipers
If your car is parked outdoors, it is advisable to lift the wipers to prevent the rubber from deteriorating faster when it remains in contact with the windshield in hot weather.
7. Check the AC ducts
A car that is rarely operated will cause the AC ducts to have poor circulation, leading to dust and germ buildup. To address this, you can take the car to your trusted workshop for fogging the car interior and AC ducts with disinfectant, or replace the AC filter if necessary.
8. Check the cables
When the car cannot be started, and upon inspection, it turns out that one or more cables are broken, and worse, those cables are part of the main system. This is usually caused by rats or insects nesting in your car that is comfortably parked and unused for a long time.
To address this, take some time to check the engine compartment and the underside of the car, and open all windows and doors to let out any small insects that may have entered the car. After that, close the car doors and windows tightly. You can also use rat or insect repellents available in the market for use in your parking area.
Just like your body that needs to be taken care of during this pandemic, your car also needs the same. You can follow some car maintenance tips so that your personal car remains in optimal condition and can be relied upon for emergency needs safely.
