21/04/2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused countries all over the world to shutdown public activities. A new normal has emerged for our life and work since the countrywide lockdown imposed by the Government of India. As a result, there are many routine things we are no longer doing, for instance, driving.
But once the pandemic’s spread is controlled, we will need our cars and bikes again. However, lying idle is not good for a vehicle’s health, so we have come up with a checklist of things to do when your car or bike is parked for too many days in a row.
Tyre Pressure Check
When idle, the tyres of your car or bike will lose air pressure over time. It may lead to unwanted tyre damage as the under inflated tyres bear the weight of the vehicle. Sidewall cracks may appear if your tyres are older and the rubber has become stiff.
So, the first thing to do is to move the vehicle around a bit, every few days, so that it does not rest on the same tyre patch for long. Secondly, use an air pump to keep the tyres optimally inflated. Also, don’t forget to check the air pressure in the spare wheel, as you may need it in an emergency.
Same thing applies to your bike tyres, keep them inflated. However, you can skip moving it around as the bike’s stand keeps the weight off its tyres.
Disconnect the Battery
Being idle is not good for a vehicle’s battery as well. Car and bike batteries are charged when the vehicle is in motion by a device called alternator. But since your daily runtime has come to a standstill, so has the charging time of your vehicle’s battery. With extended disuse, the battery may lose charge due to passive leak of energy into the connected electrical components. Thus, adding an unnecessary hassle to your life after the lockdown.
To avoid that, disconnect your car and bike’s battery. It will help in preserving the charge and ensure that your vehicle is ready to go the distance once the lockdown is lifted.
Fill up the Tank
Once the lockdown is lifted, there will be a rush at the petrol pumps and CNG stations. To avoid that, it’s best to have the vehicle parked with a full tank. Also, when a vehicle is parked for extended durations, the air inside the tank can condensate, which is not good for the vehicle’s engine. A full tank will help you avoid that.
Release the Parking Brake
This one’s for the cars and SUVs. When you are parking your vehicle for a long time, it’s recommended that you release the parking brake/handbrake, as it may get jammed sometimes. If your parking is on an incline, you can use a wedge to stop the tyre from rolling or put your vehicle in ‘park’ mode if you have automatic transmission.
Cover to Protect
Being idle, your car will be gathering dust, bird droppings, leaves, flowers and what not. When parked in open, it will be bearing direct sunlight which might damage the paint as well. So, it’s best to clean the car inside- out and putting a cover on it. It will not only save you from cleaning duty when you are rearing to go out, but also ensure there are no bad smells to surprise you inside the cabin.
In conclusion
The Coronavirus lockdown will last a while. We all need to follow the rules of social distancing till then and perhaps longer. In the meantime, you can focus on spending some quality time with your loved ones and also taking care of things you cherish, like your beloved automobile.
