How to take care of a car that is rarely used?

Artur Owczarek

Brand Product Manager Moje AutoHe has been involved in the automotive industry for years. He is passionate about cars and detailing. On his blog, he shares his knowledge and experience, offering tips on how to effectively care for your car and extend its life.

As cliché as it may sound, a car was built to be driven. If the car is not properly prepared, a longer stop may harm it. How can we protect an unused car?

How to take care of your car? – What can break down in an unused car?

For your car to remain fully functional, it should be driven regularly. Thanks to this, its components will work properly, individual elements will be lubricated, the battery will be charged, and the moving parts will not get stuck or seized.

However, there are situations in which we cannot or do not want to use the vehicle for a long time. So how to take care of your car? What can happen when a car is left unused for a long time?

First of all, its battery may be completely discharged. Even when there is no key in the ignition, some devices, e.g. radio or alarm, still consume electricity.

Rubber elements, including tires, lose their original properties over time. In an unused car that does not change its position, the tires may become deformed. Wipers may become permanently stuck to the windshield, and rubber undercarriage covers may become frayed.

Operating fluids can also become old. Some of them have hygroscopic properties, i.e. they accumulate water. Engine oil, brake fluid or coolant fluid may be unsuitable for use.

In an unused car, water may appear in the fuel tank. If the tank corrodes, rust may enter the fuel system when the engine is started, which may damage the engine.

If the car is not secured and kept in appropriate conditions, its body may begin to corrode. In addition, the paint may also begin to change color or fade. In turn, moisture may appear inside, which may lead to the development of mold and fungi.

How to take care of your car

How to prepare your car for a longer stop?

What should you do to prepare your car for a stop? We can start by replacing operating fluids, including engine oil. Let's also fill up the car. This way we will minimize the risk of water vapor accumulating in the tank.

Let's inflate the tires slightly above the recommended value. More pressure will make the contact surface tires with the surface will be smaller, which will delay the deformation process.

Disconnect the battery terminals and, if possible, turn the wipers upside down. We do not engage the handbrake to prevent it from seizing up. We leave the car in gear.

If we can't keep our car in the garage, get one car cover. It will protect the body against precipitation, sunlight and bird droppings.

We also clean the interior to prevent moisture and the growth of microorganisms. The car before a long stop, exactly we wash and dryto minimize the risk of corrosion.

It's also worth thinking about this securing the car against theft.

How to prepare your car after a long stop?

After a long period of time without driving, the car battery may become discharged. It is best to connect it to a rectifier to regain full functionality

It is also worth changing the engine oil in the car and checking the braking system. It is a good idea to have the suspension and exhaust system inspected and replaced operating fluids.

We also check air conditioning and ventilation. Just like before the stop, we also clean the cabin and body of the car after it.

Air conditioning cleaning agent Moje Auto NANO SILVER AIR CONDITIONING

Car cosmetics – how to take care of your car?

What cosmetics are worth equipping yourself with before sending the car for a longer rest? We can start with protective preparations.

Thanks to cosmetics, we can extend the life of rubber elements. We'll need it for this silicone for car seals.

Air conditioning cleaning agent will help us get rid of bacteria and fungi that could develop while the car is parked. In turn, the middle type anti-couple will prevent moisture from forming in the cabin.

Car cosmetics that will help you clean your car

It will be necessary to clean your car both before and after a long stop. We can start by taking care of the interior.

We should get rid of the remaining dust. They'll come in handy for this cosmetics for dashboard and plastics, including milks, aerosols and sprays, or wet wipes. These types of agents have antistatic properties and also help protect cabin elements against the effects of UV radiation.

Let's clean more than just the board or door panels. Let's also take care of the seats. Use of preparations for upholstery and leather will keep the cabin fresh and the seats properly preserved.

Antibacterico 3in1 upholstery cleaner Moje Auto

Antibacterico 3in1 Moje Auto upholstery cleaning agent

We wash the body and rims thoroughly. We can use tar and resin removers as well as insect removers. In addition, we can use clay to remove dirt from deep inside the paint.

Once the bodywork is clean, we should properly protect it. We use wax for this purpose. We can choose from preparations for application on wet or dry.

Applying wax wet, e.g. in the form of a spray, is very easy. Wax for dry application requires more patience and free time. However, it gives a better effect and allows for better protection of the paint, especially in older cars. We also write about how to properly clean a car in the text: How to wash the car?.

Wet wax My Car

The condition of an unused car may deteriorate more and more over time. That is why it is so important to properly secure the car before stopping and to start it properly.

It is also a good idea to start the vehicle from time to time or go for short trips, even a few minutes. Thanks to this, the components will be lubricated, the rubber elements will be loosened, and the air conditioning and ventilation will work better when we return to regular use of the car.