As states lift the lockdown, self-quarantine, and stay-at-home orders, vehicle owners discover that their car won’t start or hear strange noises when they start the engine or drive. Basic car maintenance is still important, even during quarantine. Let’s look at a few car problems that can develop during quarantine and what you can do to avoid these problems.
Weak Battery
The first thing you will notice if you don’t use your car for an extended time is that the battery will weaken. The engine will struggle to turn over, or in some cases, a dead battery will prevent you from starting the car.
Even when your car is parked and not in use, the battery itself is still in use, which means the battery is slowly discharging. Typically in the 200-600 mA range, a small current is drawn by one or more modules, such as the security system and door lock module. This is normal and is not a problem when the car is parked for only a few days. This becomes an issue when you leave the car parked for weeks, which can happen during quarantine.
When you try to start the vehicle, you may hear the engine turning over very slowly, or even worse; you may hear a click, click, click from the starter. These are symptoms of a weak battery. You may need to jump-start your vehicle or simply use a portable Lithium Jump Starter to get the car running again.
Here are some tips to help prevent your car battery from discharging.
The cheapest solution is to drive the vehicle once a week or keep it running at the idle outside (not inside the garage) for at least 20 minutes a couple of times a week. This will allow the alternator to charge the battery. Doing this regularly every week is enough to charge the battery in cars with good batteries and no electrical issues.
The ideal solution, especially if your car battery is over three years old, is to connect a trickle charger and keep the battery fully charged. You can connect the trick charger to the engine bay’s jump-starting terminals that most newer cars have.
Otherwise, connect the red clamp on the positive (+) battery terminal and the black clamp to the frame, ground point, or unpainted bolt. Set the charger at 12 volts and the charge rate between 1 to 5 A and plug it into a wall outlet. A smart 12-volt trickle charger will keep your car battery fully charged without overcharging it for as long as needed.
Rusted Rotors
Rotors will start to rust as you leave your car parked for an extended time. While this is normal, you should try to avoid rust buildup on any car parts, including rotors, whenever possible. Driving the car once a week for a few minutes will keep rotor rust levels down.
You don’t need to remove or take the rotors to an auto repair shop. Drive the car carefully, and as you drive the vehicle, the brake pads will remove the surface rust from the rotor. At first, the brake pads may make a rubbing sound, which should quieten as you drive. Depending on how long the car has been parked during the pandemic, it may take a few hundred miles for the rust to come off the rotors completely.
Low Tire Pressure
Another widespread issue we notice with cars parked for an extended period, as is the case during quarantine, is low tire pressure.
Driving with low tire pressure can damage the tire sidewall and require the tire to be replaced.
To inflate a car tire at home is very easy. Grab a 12 Volt Tire Inflator and plug it in the cigarette outlet, or if it has a built-in battery, just turn it on. You can inflate a tire in about 5 to 10 minutes. If you have to plug it into the cigarette outlet, keeping the engine running while you inflate the tire is essential to avoid draining the car battery. If the vehicle is inside a garage, keep the area well-ventilated and the garage door open while the car runs.
It is essential to inflate the tires to the recommended pressure, which for most cars, is 35 PSI. To find out the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle, open the driver’s door or the fuel door, and you will see a sticker that shows the recommended tire pressure.
Tire inflators can be purchased online or at most local auto parts stores, assuming you can find one open and are allowed to go out.
Tire Dry Rot
Another crucial reason why you need to move your car once a week is to avoid tire dry rot. If the vehicle is not moved, the tires can dry rot or create a flat spot where the tire contacts the ground. If you can’t drive the car during the quarantine, at a minimum, move the vehicle forward or backward a couple of feet once a week. Inactivity during quarantine, low tire pressure, and excessive heat are the primary culprits that cause car tires to dry rot.
Fluid Leaks May Develop
Coolant and oil leaks may be more noticeable now that the car has been parked for several days or weeks, especially on high-mileage cars.
Drive the car back a few feet, turn it off, and inspect the ground. Make sure there are no oil puddles. A couple of oil drips may be acceptable for an older car, while newer vehicles under warranty should not have any oil leaks.
Oil Will Breakdown
Oil breakdown happens over time regardless of whether the car is being used or not. Changing the oil every three or six months is recommended, depending on the oil type.
Synthetic oils generally don’t need to be changed as often as conventional oils because they don’t break down quickly. When it comes to oil change during the pandemic, it is crucial to change the oil based on the recommended time interval, not mileage. Look at the oil sticker that is on the windshield. It will have a distance limit and a due date.
Change the engine oil by the due date even if you have not driven many miles. Especially if you are using conventional oil that needs to be changed every 3000 miles or every three months.
Luxury cars such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW have much longer service intervals, typically over 10,000 miles. These manufacturers monitor the condition of the oil and display a warning on the dashboard when the oil needs to be replaced. If you are not sure when you need to change your engine oil, call your closest dealer or mechanic and ask for their advice.
Getting your car back on the road after quarantine
A car, truck, or SUV needs to be maintained even during quarantine when the vehicle is not in use. If it is not, you better get your jumper cables ready or get that jump box fully charged. If basic maintenance is ignored, the battery may drain, rotors may rust, fluids can leak, and other issues can develop, resulting in costly repairs down the road.
While keeping the car parked in the garage or driveway for weeks is okay, following these simple steps can help keep your vehicle in excellent condition. Before you get your car back on the road, it is also important to check fluid levels.
Check engine oil level.
Before you start the engine, open the hood and check the engine oil level.
Check the engine coolant level.
Check the engine coolant level as well before you start the engine. Do not open the radiator cap if the engine is hot.
Check the power steering fluid.
Check the power steering fluid level too. It is preferred to check the power steering fluid level after the engine has warmed up, but it can also be checked when the engine is cold. Vehicles with electric power steering will not have a power steering fluid reservoir. Skip this step.
Check transmission fluid level.
If your vehicle has a transmission dipstick, check the transmission fluid level. Not all cars have a transmission dipstick. You should check the level before you start the engine. Then drive for 15 to 20 minutes making sure to shift between all the gears and recheck the transmission fluid level to get an accurate reading.
All car manufacturers, including Honda, Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, BMW, Audi, Porsche, and Jeep, recommend checking these fluid levels when the vehicle is parked for an extended time, as is the case during a pandemic.
As you start to drive the car, you may hear a rubbing sound coming from the brake pads and rotors, which is normal and should go away after 20 to 25 minutes of driving. See a mechanic if the noise is still present after driving for at least 50 miles.
These tips will help keep your car in great shape and extend the life of your vehicle components, such as tires, batteries, and engines. Ignoring them may mean that the life span of your battery and tires may be shorter than expected, in addition to needing a jump-start.
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We hope you find the What Happens to a Car During Quarantine or Lockdown guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your vehicle.