Tips For Caring For Cars That Are Rarely Used During A Pandemic

Car Care (Photo: Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Just like the body, cars also need to be treated regularly so that their performance remains good and comfortable when driving. However, during the pandemic cleaning cars in public places can invite the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

In addition, the car is also rarely used because it has to be at home. Here are tips for caring for cars that may rarely be taken to the garage during the pandemic.

Pay attention to the cleanliness of the interior

Apart from being covered in dust and dirt, long parked cars in the garage are also possible for animals such as ants, insects, and cockroaches to infest.

So, when cleaning the car, pay attention to the cleanliness of the interior by sucking dust from the seats and carpets, wiping the dashboard, and wiping the door trim with a soft cloth.

If cleaned regularly, the interior of the car will be free from dust, dirt, animals, and unpleasant odors. Don't forget to use an air freshener to keep the car smelling good.

Dusty car windows can be exposed to mold

Dust that sticks to the windshield if left alone will cause mold to grow on the surface of the windshield.

Therefore, cleaning the windshield on a regular basis is important for the cleanliness of the car. Cleaning car windows should not be careless, you must use special soap and a soft cloth so as not to damage the glass surface.

In addition to windshields, wipers must also be cleaned regularly to keep them functioning properly.

Heating the car

Quoted from ANTARA, heating the car is an important but often overlooked thing. Engines in cars that are parked for long periods of time tend to wear out because the oil doesn't lubricate the components properly.

In the long run, an unheated car will cause compression leaks and lead to overheating. For that, you should warm up the car, at least once a week to avoid problems, especially leaky compression.

Make sure the tire pressure is enough

Never ignore this, because it will make the tire flat and the car unusable. It's a good idea to double-check the air pressure to avoid punctured tires. Even during the Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) period, tires must remain in a safe condition if at any time the car is needed.

Avoid Flat spots

Flat spots are a problem that often occurs in car tires, where the condition of the car tires only rests on one side so that the tire shape is not round as usual.

This condition usually occurs because car users only heat the car in place. If this condition continues to be ignored, it will cause discomfort when driving, you should immediately replace the tire when a flat spot occurs.

Park the car in a safe place

Leaving the car parked in the garage is not without risk. It's better if you also provide car security equipment such as steering locks, car alarms, and padlocks on the fence.

Cars parked outside the house usually have a higher risk, not only in terms of safety but also the risk of damage to the paint and body of the car exposed to heat and rain. If the car is parked outside the garage, it's a good idea to provide additional protection such as a cover so that the car is well protected.

Insurance

In addition to providing security equipment, it is also important to protect the car with insurance. Insurance protection will provide financial protection, especially from the crime of theft.

There are two options for total loss only (TLO) insurance, insurance that will prevent you from financial losses if your car is lost due to being stolen, and all-risk or comprehensive coverage that covers losses due to loss and accidents.

The most suitable in the PPKM period as it is today is TLO, because the risk of loss is greater than the risk of accidents.

Unplug the negative battery cable to avoid the risk of the battery weakening

Most people leave the battery plugged in when the car is parked for a long time, without realizing this can make the battery weaken because it is not fully charged.

Many also disconnect the entire battery cable, in fact, this can also pose a dangerous risk. What must be applied is to unplug the negative cable on the battery, so the battery will not become weak and the car will also avoid dangerous risks.