Table of Contents
How do you maintain a rarely used car?
How to Take Care of a Car that is Rarely Driven
- Use the “Whichever Comes First” Rule for Maintenance. Perform regular maintenance based on timing, not on mileage, so check your owner’s manual to see what is recommended.
- Clean the Car.
- Turn the Car On Every Few Days.
- Prevent Battery Corrosion.
- Protect the Exterior.
How often should an unused car be driven?
That means lots of cars off the roads and just sitting in garages, driveways, or on the street. If you’re not looking to store your vehicle indefinitely, which involves different procedures and prep work, experts recommend vehicles be driven every two to three weeks.
Do I need to perform maintenance on a car that isn’t used?
Performing maintenance is a task that often goes hand-in-hand with owning a vehicle. But what about vehicles you only use once in a while or store part of the year? It may seem like a car that isn’t used frequently wouldn’t require upkeep like your everyday vehicle — but that isn’t always the case.
What should you do before leaving your car dormant?
Finally, Cars.com suggests that before you leave your car dormant for an extended period of time, top off your vehicle’s fluids — such as brake fluid, engine coolant, power steering fluid (if applicable), transmission fluid, antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid.
How to preserve a car battery when not in use?
If you know that you aren’t going to be driving your car for an extended period of time, one of the best things you can do to preserve its battery is to remove it and store it in a cool place. Most cars have batteries that are easily accessible, so this is a solution that is easy for just about anyone to implement.
Do you need to run a car while storing it?
If you prepare the car properly for storage, though, you do not need to run it to keep the battery charged. Cars.com suggests connecting the battery to a trickle charger or battery tender with an automatic shut-off feature or float mode. This will ensure the battery doesn’t get overcharged.