Car Not Used for a Year: Tips for Maintenance and Reviving
A car that is not used for a year, if left unattended, can damage important components inside it. Therefore, you need to perform proper maintenance so that the engine can start and the car remains in prime condition. So how do you do it? For more details, pay attention to the following tips.
Tips for Maintaining a Car That Has Not Been Used for a Year
There are several maintenance tips you need to know to keep your car in prime condition even if it hasn't been used for a year.
1. Disconnect the battery
Disconnect the battery to prevent corrosion while the car is not in use.
2. Perform engine and oil maintenance
Even if the car is rarely used, engine and oil maintenance must continue. Because oil in an engine that is left for a year can degrade in quality and become thicker.
If that oil is still used, it can damage the car's engine because dirt deposits from the oil can cause corrosion. Don't forget to also warm up the car's engine and other electronic features such as the car lights, radio, power window, and AC.
3. Regularly check the suspension and tire condition
The second tip is to regularly and periodically check the suspension and tires. A car left for a year without being moved can damage the condition of the suspension and tires. This is because the load points usually direct to those components.
Check the suspension system and ensure there are no leaks or wear on those components. Don't forget to check the tires for any foreign objects stuck in them and whether the air pressure in the tires meets the standard or not.
4. Regularly maintain the car's interior and exterior
The third tip is to maintain both the interior and exterior of the car. For the interior, you can remove dust or dirt from the car's interior using a vacuum or sweeping under the seats at least twice a month.
Don't forget to wash the car as well, so that dirt and dust stuck to the car's exterior can be cleaned. After washing, store the car in a safe place away from direct sunlight. Don't forget to use a car cover to prevent scratches on the body and fading of the car paint.
How to Start a Car That Has Not Been Used for a Year
To start a car that has not been used for a year, you can follow some of the following methods.
1. Check the battery and electrical connections
To ensure the car engine starts smoothly even if it hasn't been used for a year, a check on the battery and electrical connections is necessary. Make sure the car battery is not dead. Next, check the fuses, electrical current, and the connections between the starter and battery are not loose.
2. Check the ground cable connection
Next, check the ground cable connection on the battery and ensure the cable is not frayed. This component functions to monitor the safety of the car's electrical current.
3. Check the starter solenoid cable
Don't forget to also check the starter solenoid cable. If a rough sound occurs when the starter is used and the engine is hard to start, it can be confirmed that the solenoid cable is damaged.
4. Remove corrosion
Clean any corrosion on the battery terminals using a wire brush to make it easier to start the engine.
5. Start the car for the right duration
Next, start the car engine by turning the ignition key to the ON position. Start the engine for about five minutes for fuel-injected cars. And for cars with non-fuel-injected engines, start the car for about ten to fifteen minutes.
Also Read: Battery Lifespan: Factors and How to Extend It
Do this at least twice a week. If the car engine still does not start, you can perform a jump start or have the car serviced at the nearest official Daihatsu workshop.
