Out of all the Canadian used car shoppers we spoke to in a recent survey, only 64% of them actually needed a new car, while 36% just wanted one. But when the brakes or transmission go, and it’s time for some serious (expensive) car repairs, it’s time to consider whether spending more money on car repair and maintenance is worthwhile, or if you’re better off looking for an upgrade. We get it – you’ve had that old, trusty ride for what seems like forever, and it’s gotten you through some tough times. Keep an eye on your insurance and VED road tax to avoid any unexpected fines and consider registering your car as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) if you know it’ll be off the road for some time.Car Repairs: Is Fixing My Car Worthwhile, Or Is It Time For a Replacement? If you find yourself with some extra spare time and want to be productive, it’s worth going over your car’s paperwork and making sure everything is up to date. Start your car every few weeks and run the engine for 10 minutes. Modern on-board computers can be affected by disconnecting the battery for too long. Invest in a smart chargerĪ smart charger will keep the battery charged. Write down all the steps you’ve taken on a notepad, so when the time comes to restart your car in the spring, you won’t accidentally end up damaging it by, for example, forgetting to pull out the rag you’ve left in the exhaust. Checking your brake fluid is another good move and you should leave your car in gear. Leaving the handbrake on is not a good idea as it risks fusing the brake pads to the discs. Wheel chocks are a good investment, particularly if you can’t avoid parking your car on an incline. If possible, go for a 15-minute drive but otherwise simply running the engine while stationary for 15 minutes should suffice. If you’re storing the car for several months, lift the vehicle to raise the tyres from the ground – this will prevent flat spots.Įvery week or two you should look to start your car to prevent the battery running flat. Make sure your tyre pressures are correct. But avoid spraying belts, hoses and braking surfaces. However, if you do have some options, think about where it’s best to keep your car for a long period.Īny unpainted metal parts under your car can be painted with WD-40 to prevent rust. Not everyone has a lot of choice when it comes to where they park their car, particularly those who use street parking. Catch up on admin 1. Park up somewhere safe Storing a car: 7 tips to protect your car for long term storage 1. Our guide is all about reducing that risk of the worst coming to the worst when the time comes to put your car back on the road again. It’s perfectly possible that you could leave your car in a garage or parked outside for months with no problems but the longer you leave it, the greater the chance of issues developing and the more measures you should take to mitigate the risk. Using the car any less than this will increase the likelihood of problems flaring up when you plan to get back out on the road. Under normal circumstances, experts recommend driving your car every two to three weeks. How long can a car sit without being driven?īefore we start, let’s just clarify when we mean by storing your car. Fear not, however, as we’ve teamed up with experts at Euro Car Parts, the AA and Nextbase in order to figure out the best ways to prepare your motor for what’s to come and minimise the risk of any problems developing.
Perhaps you’ve started working from home or want to look after your car during winter. If you know you won’t be using your car for a while it can be difficult to know what to do.
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