With the Covid-19 affecting our day-to-day life and with no deadline in sight, your car would need a bit of upkeep during the lockdown due to inactivity.
OneClickDrive is here to help, and guide you on how to keep your car fit and drivable when you need it.
Start your engine
Your car battery might be dead right about now unless you’re starting the car up every week or two. Ideally, get in your car and start your engine once a week. Keep the engine running for atleast 10 minutes. If you don’t, your car battery might die and you’ll need to replace it.
If you’re using a rental car during the Coronavrisu lockdown in Dubai, your car rental agency can help you with a new battery (probably, free of charge) but it’s your own, it might have to be replaced. A car battery costs upwards of AED 300 in Dubai. The cost aside, having a flat battery is not ideal in case of an emergency and you need your car.
Drive a bit, if permissible
All residents in the UAE are advised not to leave their houses unless essential. However, if you live in a gated community or have a basement parking, slowly drive around and park your car again. Best to do so between the hours of 6 am and 8 pm.
The drive doesn’t help only your car battery, but also the tires, air-conditioner, steering, brakes, transmission gears, suspension and other car parts. It preserves them from wear and tear. For instance, tires tend to develop a flat spot when stationary for long periods. They might need to be replaced sooner than required.
Top the fuel tank
When cars are left stationary for too long with a low fuel level, moisture tends to build up in the petrol tank. This can impact your engine performance and even restrict it from starting.
Hence it’s important to fill up the petrol tank to full even when you don’t need to drive the distance.
Incase you’re heading to the petrol station, do get a permit before. However, petrol can be delivered to your location across the UAE thanks to innovative startups such as Cafu.
Switch to the stone-age brakes
This is an odd one, but worth the effort. Put bricks, blocks of wood or any heavy object in front and back of your car tires. Now, release the parking brake and handbrake.
This will save the strain on the brake systems left in place for extended periods. The reduced strain on the brake pads will promise their long life.
Just remember: When you need to restart your car, shift back to the P (Park) gear.
Keep your car clean
Goes without saying that your car should be kept clean all-round the year. Car wash services within your residential and commercial locations are great! But given the current circumstances, most users would have opted out of the monthly car wash contracts.
Though your car’s not being used as often these, it’s wise to keep your car clean inside and out, timely. While doing so yourself might not be a convenient unless you live in a villa community. There are quite a few doorstep car was services active in your locality which can clean, sanitize and disinfect your car efficiently.
We may have missed a few. Have you got any tips you’d like to share? Tell us in the comments below.
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