What Happens To Your Car If You Don’t Use It For Long Periods

What happens when you decide to take your well-earned three-week holiday? Well, before you go, you will have arranged your pets to be in good hands, that someone keeps an eye on your garden and maybe your home as well. However, you should also keep your car in mind. Will it be sitting in your Melbourne garage, unused?

Myth busted

Did you know that leaving your car untouched for long periods of time can be more damaging than driving it every day? Yes, this thinking is a bit of a myth, because most people tend to think that not driving a car reduces wear and tear, meaning it will last that much longer.

What happens to an unused car

When you leave your car unused for long periods of time, the fluids in it aren’t circulated through their systems often enough. This can cause the fluids to become coagulated or stale, resulting in damage or lowered effectiveness. So, if you’re not going to use your car for an extended period of time, you should drain all its fluids before you leave. Call a professional if you aren’t sure how to go about it.

Batteries and Oil

If you leave your batteries without starting your car for even two weeks, it can lose charge and even stop working altogether. The same goes for your car’s oil. Old, unused oil can be harmful to your car, so if it hasn’t been used for some time, you should make sure to have the oil replaced.

Rotors and Brakes

Brakes and rotors may rust if left unattended for long periods of time. So, if your car hasn’t been used for a long a while, you should have it sent to a reputable mechanic to ensure that these parts are still in good working order.

The best advice, besides taking your car to a mechanic, is simple. Ask a friend or family member to start your car every few days – or at least once a week – while you’re away. Ideally, they should start your car, rev the engine for just a few seconds, and leave it to idle for a couple of minutes. They don’t even have to drive your car, just getting it started is more than enough to keep it in good shape.

 

If you have left your car unused for a while, contact us to get your car back on the road in no time.

 

Related Tag: Mechanics Melbourne