Caring for your car during lockdown

Tuesday, 24 August 2021

Time to put the 911 back in storage. But what should you check while it's not being used?

So we’re back in lockdown and so are our cars.

But cars don’t like just sitting around doing nothing – they can’t binge-watch Netflix and put on weight like we do. They deteriorate, so there are a number of things you should keep an eye on while they are sitting there.

The Automobile Association recommends, if possible, giving your car a half-hour run in your local neighbourhood at least once a week as it is best for both battery and engine health.

Don’t let a lack of basic maintenance on your car strand you on the side of the road once we can drive again.

Alternatively, leave it idling in your driveway or a well-ventilated place for 30 minutes to allow the engine oil and coolant to circulate.

But that may not be possible, so first up we will talk about the venerable TWIRL – tyres, windscreen, indicators, rust and lights – which is the basic check you should do on a regular basis anyway, plus a few other things to make sure you don’t break down in that testing queue.

* Ute's mysterious ticking sound leads to $7000 bill for frustrated owner

A 2018 survey in New Zealand showed that only 37 per cent of drivers thought they knew the minimum amount of tread their tyres ought to have.

* This million-mile Honda CRX is basically new

* Over-50s leave youngsters stranded on basic car maintenance

Tyres

Tyres are the easiest things to check and don't require any particular expertise to see if there is anything wrong with them – when it comes to tyres; if it looks wrong, it probably is.

Squeaking windscreen wipers are massively annoying. Here's how to stop them. (Video published August, 2021)

The minimum depth your tread can run is 1.5 millimetres, but more tread is always better, with stopping distances drastically reduced (particularly in the wet) with a good amount of meat on your tyres.

Most tyres these days also have a tread depth indicator in the groove of the tyre to make it easy, but you can also put a 20-cent coin in the tread – if the whole of the number 20 can be seen, it means there's less than 2mm remaining.

Visually checking for any signs of damage or unusual wear is vital, while carefully running your hands over the inside edge of the tyre to check for damage you can't easily see is a good idea. They shouldn't have lumps or bulges that indicate damage, exposed cords or cuts in the sidewall that are more than 25mm long.

Make sure your tyres are correctly inflated at all times. It's basic safety, but it also drastically increases your chances of identifying other issues with steering and suspension. Many of us don't do it enough, but checking tyre pressures is quick and easy.

And don't forget to check the spare as well.

Windscreen

You should make sure your windscreen is clean inside and out with a completely unobstructed view of the road ahead.

Any damage, such as chips or cracks, should be fixed by a professional as soon as possible. Obviously, this isn’t possible under lockdown, though.

Along with checking the windscreen, also make sure that your windscreen wipers are in good condition and your washer reservoir is topped up.

Rather obviously, your headlights are vital for seeing at night. Make sure they work properly.

Indicators

Make sure your indicators work – it is the only way anyone else knows where you are wanting to go.

Simply putting your hazard lights on and walking around your car will show up any faults, with any non-functioning bulbs needing to be replaced.

Keeping your battery fighting fit is essential.

Rust

Anything on the roof or door pillars and the sills could affect the structural rigidity of your car, meaning it will offer less protection should the worst happen. Any rust in a these areas needs to be checked by a professional as soon as possible.

Lights

The front lights should be clear and unbroken – hazy or fogged-up lenses can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the lights.

Hey, dipstick: This is what you check your engine-oil level with.

Also, you should actually make sure all your lights are working. Have someone stand outside the car and check that lamps (low/high beam) and daytime running lights (if you have them) work.

If you don't have anyone to help, you can easily check your rear lights by carefully backing close to a wall and checking the reflections in your mirrors.

Don't forget your battery

On top of the TWIRL for basic safety requirements, the battery is probably the most important thing to keep on top of. Even if you've changed your battery recently, checking the terminals for corrosion is never a bad idea.

Making sure electrolyte levels are good is another box to tick while you're poking around the battery, although that isn't always possible (or necessary) with some new batteries in late-model cars.

Make sure the battery is clean (a thick mixture of baking soda and water is good for cleaning the battery with an old toothbrush, making sure it is safely disconnected first) before you open the (usually) six round, or two rectangular, covers on the top of the battery, as the electrolyte fluid should never be contaminated.

The electrolyte fluid should cover the cells and be the same level across all of them. If a cell is exposed, or its level is lower than the rest, then add distilled water until it covers the cells entirely.

While you're under the bonnet, check your fluid levels

Check your oil when the engine is cold (if you have just turned it off, then let it stand for at least 10 minutes). If it is below the “add” line, then do what it says and add enough to take it just over the line.

Oil turns black quickly, so don't worry about that, but do rub a small amount between your fingers – if it leaves a smudge, then you probably need an oil change. Likewise, if the oil is thick and sludgy, you are well overdue for a change.

The ratio of water to antifreeze you need in your radiator depends on your car, but generally between 30 per cent and 50 per cent is suitable, depending on how cold it gets where you live.

What if this all goes on longer?

There is a very real possibility that this lockdown will go on longer, particularly in Auckland.

The best option for storage is a garage, but if you don't have access to one, a car port or off-street cover will do.

Setting up a trickle charger for your battery is the next step. If you don't have power where you are storing the car, just pull the battery out and plug it in at home.

Trickle, or maintenance, chargers are designed to be plugged in and left. They switch on and off as required to keep the battery in a good state of charge. Keeping the battery at a good state of charge is the key to longevity of battery life.

If your car is staying put for a while, the AA says it's a good idea to overinflate your tyres just a bit. This will ensure that adequate pressure remains even if a small amount leaks out over time.

Finally, if you’re not planning on using the car for quite some time, don't use the handbrake. Leave it in park or in gear to prevent the brakes from binding over time.

What about fuel?

Petrol can last up to a year if you keep it in a sealed tank, but according to BP, once a seal is broken the fuel has a storage life of six months at 20 degrees Celsius or three months at 30C, so even then you should be fine under the current lockdown.

You can extend the life of petrol by not filling your tank completely and then topping it up periodically. Leaving some space in the tank also helps stop water vapour from being sucked in and condensing.

Diesel is a bit different. As it is not a volatile fuel, it does not suffer from starting issues or from the issues of evaporation that petrol does.