You’re probably not driving your car as much as you normally would at the moment. The lockdown has taken thousands of motorists off the road and left many cars languishing on driveways, in garages and at the side of the road.
We can’t wait to get back out on the road again, but for now it’s important to keep your car parked if you don’t need to use it for essential purposes. We don’t know how long the lockdown will last, so it’s a good idea to prepare your car for storage. That way, its condition won’t deteriorate while you’re not driving it, and it will be ready to go when we’re all allowed back behind the wheel.
Here are our top tips for laying up your car:
In or out
If you have a garage at your disposal, clear some space and stick your car in there to minimise the risk of it becoming covered in moss, dirt, bird mess or - worse - rust. If not, a variety of car covers are available online; these can protect your car from the worst of the elements. Always clean your car thoroughly before putting it under any sort of cover to prevent any stuck-on grime damaging the paintwork.
If your car is lucky enough to have a roof over its head, you should leave one of the windows slightly open to prevent the build-up of mould in the interior. Be careful, though: any openings can allow insects, small birds and even rats to enter your car and make a nest. In some cases, animals have been known to chew wiring looms, seats and dashboards to pieces, so check your car regularly for any unwanted guests.
Brakes and tyres
Wherever you leave it, your car should ideally be on flat ground with the handbrake off (this might sound strange, but you really don’t want it to seize up). A good pair of wheel chocks will stop your car rolling away, but raising it off the ground entirely with a set of axle stands will stop your tyres from developing flat spots.
It’s also worth remembering that brake discs corrode quickly when not in use, so always make sure they’re up to scratch when recommissioning the car.
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Under pressure
Rotating tyres is as important if not more important than pressure
4X...Taking stupidity to a previously unheard of level.
What on earth, or even off earth does rotating the tyres do for a static car?. This is surely done to even out the tyre wear on all 4, WHEN IT IS IN USE. A FOOL and it's excuse for a brain are rarely parted. Fool.
Takeitslowly wrote:
Rotating as in turning each wheel to change the position of the flat spot, an eminently sensible and well proven solution. Your call......
Don'tworry
Most modern cars sit for weeks or even months in various yards, boats, dealers before being sold as new without any of this (yes, maybe a battery disconnected or certain fuses removed but certainly not jacked up, fuel additive etc). So for a 6 - 8 week lock down......
Pump up your tyres
I wouldn't put my car on jack stands as the suspension is designed to be loaded but I would ensure your tyres are properly inflated, possibly over inflated, to avoid flat spotting the tyres. Surprised Autocar didn't include that as its possibly the easiest and one of the most important steps to take.