We all know that the car, as a complex machine, needs to be properly run and used to keep it in good condition. However, there are times when we inevitably need to park our vehicles for long periods of time. Some are due to the needs of work or life, and some are due to seasonal reasons, such as spending the winter in cold regions. Although long-term downtime cannot be completely avoided, there are a few key measures we can take to minimize the risk of damage to our vehicles. Here are five things to look out for when parking for long periods of time.
1. Avoid parking in wet, cold, or hot places
Parking a vehicle in a wet, cold, or hot place for a long time can cause great damage to the chassis, engine, and paint of the vehicle. Therefore, when choosing a parking place, you should try to choose a flat, dry, and sheltered place to keep the vehicle in the best condition.
2. Start the vehicle and drive regularly
Long-term parking may lead to problems such as battery loss of vehicle, tire deformation, and engine oil precipitation. Therefore, even if the vehicle is not stationary, the vehicle should be started regularly and driven for a certain mileage or time to maintain good operating condition. It is recommended to start the vehicle at least once every two weeks and travel more than 50 km.
3. Check the condition of the vehicle regularly
Long-term parking may lead to failure of tires, brakes, engine, etc. Therefore, during the long-term parking period, the condition of the vehicle should be checked regularly, including whether the tires are deformed, whether the brakes are sensitive, whether the engine oil is precipitated, etc., and the problems should be found and eliminated in time to avoid potential safety hazards.
4. Avoid parking under buildings or trees
Parking your vehicle under a building or tree for an extended period of time may cause damage to your vehicle's suspension system. Because the space under the building or tree may not be open enough, the suspension system may rub or collide with the building or tree. Therefore, when choosing a parking spot, you should try to avoid parking in such places.
5. Perform regular vehicle maintenance and upkeep
Long-term shutdown may lead to problems such as oil sedimentation and clogged air filters, therefore, during long-term shutdown, regular vehicle maintenance and maintenance should be carried out, including changing oil, air filter, etc. In addition, the battery, brakes and other parts should also be checked as needed to ensure that the vehicle can maintain good operating condition after long-term parking.
Conclusion:
Although long-term parking cannot be completely avoided, there are a few things we can do to minimize the risk of damage to our vehicles. Keep these five things in mind: avoid parking in wet, cold, or hot places, start and drive your vehicle regularly, check the condition of your vehicle regularly, avoid parking under buildings or trees, and perform regular vehicle maintenance and upkeep. With these measures, your vehicle will be kept in top condition even after a long period of parking, as good as new for ten years! Let's take care of our car together and let it stay with us for a longer time with proper use and maintenance.