5 Tips for protecting your car during COVID-19

For many, isolation from the outside world soon became the new norm. We stopped the daily commute, the non-essential journeys and the simple drives to the supermarkets. When we stopped, so did our vehicles. When your car is left parked up for a prolonged period of time it can encounter a few issues.

In order to avoid car problems and the costly repairs that come with them, we have compiled a few tips to help you to protect your car during the Covid-19 crisis…

Keep it clean

It may not seem an important task when you’re not using your car that you should keep it clean, but this simple bit of maintenance can save you a lot of time and money later on. A car left stationary for a period of time is left exposed to the elements which can have detrimental effects for your paintwork and exterior.

Run your car regularly

Try to get into the habit of running the engine every few days. You should leave the engine to run for a few minutes and if you can’t take it for a short drive then press on the accelerator while it’s parked. Before you turn the car off, ensure that it has reached its full operating temperature as this is how to check that the engine is in working order.

Maintain fluid levels

You need to maintain your oil, water and transmission fluid levels even if you’re not planning to use your car. This will prevent a buildup of condensation within the tank, which can affect the way the car drives.

Keep the interior clean 

It can be easy to forget about the inside of a car, when it’s not in use. However, it could be harbouring bacteria which, due to reduced activity, could be thriving. We suggest a quick hoover of the seats and footwells once a week as well as a good wipe over of the rest of the interior paying particular attention to the parts we use the most - such as the gearstick, door handles, radio buttons and of course, the steering wheel.

Check your tyres

If they’re not roadworthy then they’re illegal to drive with, this is why it is very important to make sure that your tyres are in good condition. If you’re not able to take them to a garage to check their pressure then walk around the vehicle and look for any signs of wear and tear, or punctures, and ensure that any damage is rectified or that the damaged tyre is changed before you take the car on the road.

FirstLink Auto Services

If you need a replacement part in a hurry then we can help. Here at FirstLink Auto Parts, we can provide the part you need within 24 hours with our ethos being centred around reliability, innovation and fair pricing.