Has your car been in storage over the last few months because of the Covid-19 lockdown? Millions of Canadians have parked their cars for extended periods of time because they no longer need to commute. Thing is cars don’t like to sit still for long periods of time. The battery, fuel lines, rubber bushings and even the engine oil can go bad if the car is not run regularly.
In this article we are looking at how you should prepare your car before setting out for that first drive.
Covid-19 has shown millions of people that Mississauga car rental helps them save on vehicle ownership, maintenance and insurance costs.
Things to check before starting/driving a car after Covid-19
Make sure you perform this essential maintenance before you drive your car out of storage. If you need a vehicle urgently, call our Mississauga car rentals desk or book a car immediately on our On Demand Car app. We deliver cars right to your doorstep and pick them up once you are done.
We are making car rental in Mississauga really contactless!
Top up / Replace fluids – Pop open the hood and top up the coolant, transmission fluid and windshield washer. Puddles or stains under the car are telltale signs of a leak. If any of them looks discolored, it needs to be replaced entirely.
Engine oil – Oil that has not been circulated around the engine for three or so months can lose its lubricating properties. Replace the engine oil before you drive to protect the engine from excessive wear.
Battery check – Chances are the battery is drained if the car has not been started in a while. Plug it into a trickle charger to charge it up gradually. Or borrow a friend and jumper cables and jumpstart the car.
Brakes – Pump the brake pedal a few times to make sure the brakes are working and the pedal has not ‘gone long’ (air in the hydraulic system).
Tires – Check if the tires have sufficient pressure. The rubber can also develop flat spots if sat too long, in which case the tires may need to be replaced.
Before you start it up – Take out the spark plugs and pour a small amount of a specialized cylinder lubricant into the cylinders. Crank the engine (without the spark plugs) to make sure the pistons are ready for start-up.
Check the electricals – Check your DRLs, brake lights, hazards, low and high beam, wipers, AC and entertainment system to make sure they are working. If they are not, you may pose a danger on the road and receive a ticket!
First drive – The first drive should be a relatively local run just in case the car grinds to a halt unexpectedly. Drive around for 20-30 minutes and idle for another 10 minutes or so.
After the drive – Check under the car once you have parked to see if there are any leaks or puddles under the car.
Did you know modern gasoline can actually go bad over time and damage the fuel system!
What happens if a car sits too long?
Cars, SUVs and trucks are not designed to sit idle several months at a time. Rubber gaskets in the engine and suspension become brittle, tires develop flat spots and batteries lose the ability to hold charge. If the car is parked in a moist environment, it can even start to rust.
What happens to an electric car if it is not used for 4 or 5 months? If the car is not trickle charged, the batteries will go flat. Modern Li-on batteries in most electric cars and hybrids lose the ability to hold charge if they are kept discharged for a long time.
Another headache for car owners is rodents chewing through tubes and wiring, or making homes inside the car. Drivers are fast discovering that in this ‘new normal’ Mississauga car rental is the most hassle-free way of getting around. With virtually everyone making only infrequent trips, save yourself the cost of owning and maintaining a car. Advantage Car and Truck Rentals offers some of the lowest daily rates. Don’t want to visit a car rental desk in Mississauga? Reserve a car on the On Demand Car app and have it delivered straight to your doorstep.