How do you care for a car you only drive on holidays?

Are you forced to park your car for a long time? Make sure you properly protect all parts from corrosion and deterioration. Auto parts, tires or operating fluids wear out not only while driving, but also during long stops. Read the post and check what you need to pay special attention to.

What will you learn from this post?

• Is the vehicle's components safe for a long period of time?
• How to care for a rarely used car?
• Where to store an immobilized vehicle?

Shortly speaking

Stopping the vehicle at idle has a negative effect on its components, the condition of the tires and paint, and the quality of the working fluids. You can reduce damage by leaving the machine under a roof, under a canopy, and in a dry place. A short trip every few days protects the engine from dangerous rust.

Pay attention to this

It would seem that running costs and component wear only apply to vehicles that are regularly used. There is nothing worse! The vehicles you drive from vacation also deteriorate, so you need to take special care of them.... We have compiled a list of things that will require more attention in seldom used cars.

Fuel

Fuel oxidizes on contact with air, therefore aging and losing its properties... This usually causes problems with starting the engine in a car that has not been started for a long time. In addition, excess free space in the reservoir causes condensation of water and accelerated corrosion of a metal tank... The resulting contamination can damage the entire fuel system and injectors.

Advice:

Before putting the car on a long-term parking, fill the tank to capacity... You can also add fresh fuel to mix with old fuel to improve its quality.

Tires

Most drivers assume that tires only get damaged during use, but they often deform with use.For several weeks, the weight of the car is concentrated on one point.... In addition, the air pressure in the wheels drops by about 0,1 bar per month, and the rubber in the tires ages and cracks under the influence of temperature changes.

Advice:

Putting the car aside for a long time, inflate the tires a little more than usual - by about 110-120% standards. In addition, every few weeks they move the car at least half a meter - it is changed. pressure point in tires and prevents them from deformation... Do not forget to thoroughly wash the wheels and protect the rubber with special foam or gel, which will slow down its aging.

Working fluids

Working fluids that ensure the correct operation of all vehicle components must be replaced in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Engine oil, coolant and brake fluid lose their properties not only while driving, but also when the vehicle is standing for a long time.... It is not for nothing that the intervals between the replacement of working fluids are indicated on the packaging both in kilometers and in a unit of time.

The most dangerous consequences associated with reduced quality relate to engine oil, which is designed not only to lubricate and cool the machine, but also to protect it from corrosion and remove deposits formed during combustion. Due to the contact of the liquid with air and the lubricated elements, contaminants enter its composition, which causes degradation of the protective additives contained in it.... In addition, oil quality is negatively affected by short distances as the engine does not reach the optimum temperature required for proper operation. In the context of a car that stands longer, this is commonly referred to as "burnout."

Advice:

take care of regular replacement of working fluids that meet all the requirements of car manufacturers. Keep this in mind, especially when the car is idle for a long time - thanks to this, you minimize the risk of corrosion of important components.

ENGINE

When the car is stopped for a long time, the engine oil flows into the sump, which means that all important parts of the unit are subject to corrosion. Progressive rust damages the sliding surfaces of cylinders, valves and camshafts and, as a result, impairs engine performance and increases combustion.... In addition, lack of lubrication leads to cracking of the rubber seals, which may need to be replaced before restarting.

Advice:

Drive regularly at least ten kilometers in your existing car at an equal pace. After starting the car, be sure to wait until the engine reaches the desired operating temperature, thanks to this water condensing in the engine will evaporate from the oil and the drive system components will be re-lubricated and properly started... Remember not to run a cold engine at high revs under any circumstances!

Electronic circuit

Even if you don't drive your car built into it electrical devices such as a radio, alarm clock, or hands-free kit are constantly consuming electricity... The battery charges while driving, so it's not hard to predict that after a few weeks of inactivity, zero energy will keep the car from starting.

Advice:

You can stop until the battery is completely discharged disconnect the battery in a car or invest in charger with voltage support function... Protect electrical contacts and connections with grease to prevent oxidation.

Body

An unused car is more susceptible to corrosion. Especially the one in the open air. Changes in weather conditions, including rain, temperature fluctuations and sun rays, have a terrible effect on the condition of your car's bodywork.... Moisture accelerates the rusting of even the smallest cavities in the body of a car, and tree sap, bird droppings or soot cause paint fading and fading.

Advice:

Put the car in covered and sheltered placesu. If this is not possible, use a special cover to protect them from the sun and rain. Before parking the vehicle, carefully park it. wash and dry... For even better paint protection apply wax hair removal - read Sign Inhow to do them correctly.

How to prevent damage

Stopping your vehicle outdoors for a long time can also contribute to failure of the braking system, suspension components, air conditioning or timing... Changing weather conditions will also negatively affect the plastic and rubber parts, so it will be worth it. protect them prophylactically with drugs designed for this purpose.

You guarantee the best protection for an immobilized vehicle, hidden in a warm and dry garage... If this is not possible, try to provide him with roof and solid ground - stopping the car on the ground will lead to rapid corrosion of the body under the influence of moisture. Also invest in special a cover that will protect your car from wind, rain and sunlight.

Contrary to popular belief, starting a stationary vehicle and setting it to idle does not protect it from damage. On the contrary, such instantly “burning” a car on the spot will do more harm than good... This is why it is best to take longer trips every few or several days. all components reach their optimum operating temperature... Also, make sure that all rubber seals and contacts are protected so that they do not harden or crack when exposed to different temperatures.

You can also reduce the effects of prolonged immobilization by using high quality parts and fluids. You will find them in the online car store. I avtotachki.co.

Also check:

Engine oil is the basis of a serviceable car

Charger - why do you need it?

Vehicle age and fluid type - check what you need to know!

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