If it has been weeks since you were on the road then your car could use some care and attention. Whether it be tyres, battery, electrics or paint job then we have some expert tips to help you get back out and driving.
A car should be able to last for two weeks without any form of care, however any longer than this and you may need to give it a look over. We recommend taking it out on the road once a week. Here are some other things you can do care for your car.
Check Your View
A good view is so important when driving, and a lot of dust and pollen settles during the spring. You must clean the mirrors, windscreen and side windows before leaving. If you leave this to the windscreen wipers and spray whilst you are out on the road there is a risk you will make it worse, creating a coarse paste spread over the windscreen which could even leave scratches.
The solution is a simple one. All you need is a bottle of water poured over the glass and run over it with a window scraper, then dry it off with a cloth. The windscreen wipers should be cleaned off separately.
Brakes And Tyres
Bald spots can emerge when the vehicle is parked for too long. Keep in mind to drive carefully. Check the tyre pressure. Your vehicle may still have it's winter tyres on, in which case take care not to drive too dynamically as it is not what they are designed for. A better solution may be to call a service centre and have them replaced with summer tyres.
Spending a long time without use can cause the brake discs to become slightly rusty. At first you should gently apply the brakes to gradually remove any corrosion. However, always make sure it is safe to do so before driving.
Hygiene
At this point in time good hygiene standards are more important than ever. Try to hold yourself to some of these rules when driving.
- Sanitise your hands before entering and after exiting the vehicle.
- Touch as few things as possible whilst inside, you never know what could be on each surface.
- Wear suitable gloves (like thin joggers gloves) whilst driving.
- Clean and sterilise any children's car seats before and after using. Remember, young children will touch everything around them and won't keep their hands out of their mouths.
Cleanliness will still remain and issue even after some Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
Behind The Wheel
Is driving like riding a bike, you never forget how? That depends on the experience of the driver. If you are feeling uncertain then we recommend 'exercising' the actions you may not feel confident with - changing gear, releasing the clutch, locating the brake pedal and so on.
Be cautious on the road as some drivers may feel uneasy after an extended period of inactivity. Take shorter journeys and stick to less busy roads whilst you get back into the swing of things.It doesn't take long for driving to become second nature again.
Will It Be Crazy Out There?
Unfortunately reduced traffic does tempt drivers to break rules, such as speed limits. But what can we do to stay safe? First of all, concentrate on your own safety. ensure everyone in the vehicle has seatbelts on, headrests are in the correct position, and children are in their child seats. We have to be even more observant, when turning into a main road be aware of any unexpectedly fast vehicles. Remember that there is nothing wrong with slowing down if you are on a main road and spot a vehicle approaching from a a side road. If someone is overtaking in a dangerous way it is best to get out of the way.
