Are you planning a vacation this year? Will it involve air travel or road trip? If you are taking off by airplane, then you will want to secure things around the house. That is especially true with your car. Whether you are keeping the car in the garage or in the driveway you’ll want to put these tips into action to keep it safe while you’re away:
Cover It Up
Even if you’re keeping your car in the garage, it’s a good idea to keep it covered to prevent it from being overrun with dust. You want to find a cover that fits your car snugly enough that no dust or insects can enter. It should also be a material that is “breathable” in order to keep moisture from being trapped on the inside. If you are parking your car outside, then you want to make sure your car cover is weatherproof. Yes, car covers are made for indoors or outdoors.
Change the Oil
If you are going away for just a few days or weeks, then you could probably skip this step. However, if you are planning an extended vacation or will be moving away for several months, then you must change your oil. The reason for this is that you want to avoid having oil that is full of deposits remain in your car’s system. If it isn’t circulating while in operation, then it can adhere itself to different components of your engine and that will be a problem when you come back.
Check the Charge on the Battery
Batteries lose their charge even when not in use. You can keep the battery fully charged by disconnecting the negative terminal. Wrap that terminal in a piece of cloth to minimize corrosion. Of course, this will mean losing all your electronic presets. It might help to ask a friend to come by the house and start the car and let it run for 15 minutes.
Empty the Gas Tank
Gas has a tendency to become stale if sitting dormant. Also, there may be some additives in the gas that could degrade. Before going on your vacation, you should try to empty your gas tank leaving just enough to make it to the gas station when you return.
Inflate Your Tires
When your car sits for an extended period of time, it might develop a “flat spot” around the tires. This can be prevented if you inflate your ties to the correct pressure before you leave. You should also avoid putting on the parking brake. That’s because over a long period of time it confused the brake pads to the brake rotor. If you are afraid that your car might roll, then placed tired chocks under the wheels.
The goal is to have your car safe and ready to ride when you return from your vacation.
