4 Consequences of Not Driving Your Car Regularly
If your commute has become non-existent due to the COVID-19 pandemic, chances are your car has been sidelined to the garage. If your car is sitting idle for long stretches of time, it’s at risk for damage and deterioration.
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Lost charge
Before lockdown, your battery probably had a more potent charge. Not driving it, though, has drained its power. Check its strength and be prepared to replace it with a new battery once your driving schedule gets back on track.
Photo: stux via Pixabay
Compromised tires
Tires are designed to spin. When they sit idle, they not only lose pressure, but they can also develop flat spots. Even if you’re not driving your car regularly or at all, you still need to practice tire maintenance so you don’t end up with four out-of-commission tires when you’re ready to hit the road.
Unwanted residents
If you’re not driving your car, you’re probably not cleaning it either. So, the food wrappers or assorted trash you left in there the last time you drove are still in there beckoning ants and bugs to come on in and enjoy a treat. If you don’t want to be greeted by unwanted residents or a pungent smell, you should clean out your car’s cabin.
Outside surprises
If your car is parked on the street, it’s vulnerable to outside elements that can damage your car’s exterior. Bird poop and tree sap that sit on your car can corrode its finish.
“Bird poo consists of uric acids, and that’s not water-soluble, which means it’s a nightmare to remove one spot, let alone dozens. Like tree sap, bird poop can penetrate the clear coat — the car’s protective layer,” according to Reader’s Digest writer Lisa Marie Conklin.
She recommends washing off the offending substances with car wash soap as soon as possible to help protect the integrity of your vehicle.
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Some preventative maintenance and attention to your car will help it be ready to go when you’re ready to resume your normal driving habits.
DeAnn Owens is a Dayton transplant by way of the Windy City, yet considers herself to be a California girl at heart even though she’s only visited there once. To get through the dreaded allergy season unique to the Miami Valley, she reads, writes, complains about the weather, and enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons, and their newest addition, a Boston terrier puppy that is now in charge of all their lives. In the future, she hopes to write a novel and travel through time. See more articles by DeAnn.