How to Prevent Car Damage from Long-Term Parking

The truth is, letting your car sit for a long time can cause some damage to your car, especially if you don't check the oil level and other fluids before you leave.

If you are planning to leave your car parked for a month or more without starting it, you may be wondering what are the consequences for your vehicle. Will it still run smoothly when you return? Or will it suffer from some problems that could affect its performance and safety?

In this article, we will explain what are the potential risks of long-term parking, and how to prevent them with some simple maintenance tips.

Why Oil Level Matters

One of the most important fluids in your car is the engine oil. It lubricates, cleans, cools and protects the moving parts of your engine, preventing it from seizing up and breaking down. However, oil can degrade over time, especially if it is exposed to high temperatures, moisture, dirt or contaminants. It can also leak or evaporate from the engine, causing the oil level to drop.

If the oil level is too low, your engine will not receive enough lubrication and cooling, which can lead to increased friction, wear and tear, overheating and engine failure. This can happen even if you don't start your car for a long time, as some oil can drain from the engine to the oil pan when the car is parked.

Read Also: How to Diagnose a Car That Won't Start In 6 Easy Steps

Therefore, it is essential to check your oil level regularly, especially before you leave your car for a long period. You can do this by using a dipstick, which is a metal rod that shows the minimum and maximum oil levels in your engine. You should always keep the oil level between these two marks, and never exceed the maximum level.

If the oil level is below the minimum mark, you need to top up your oil level with the recommended grade of oil for your car. You can find this information in your owner's manual or on the oil cap. You should also check your engine for any signs of leaks or damage that may cause overfilling or underfilling of oil.

Other Risks of Long-Term Parking

Besides checking your oil level, there are other things you should do to prevent car damage from long-term parking. Here are some of them:

Read Also: What Happens If You Don't Change the Oil in Your Car?

1. - Check and maintain other fluid levels: Besides oil, your car also needs other fluids to function properly, such as coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and windshield washer fluid. These fluids can also degrade or leak over time, causing various problems for your car. Therefore, you should check and maintain these fluid levels as well, following the instructions in your owner's manual.
2. - Disconnect or charge the battery: Your car battery can lose its charge if you don't start your car for a long time, as it still powers some electrical components in your car, such as the clock or the alarm system. This can make it difficult or impossible to start your car when you return. To prevent this, you can either disconnect the battery terminals or use a trickle charger to keep the battery charged while you are away.
3. - Inflate and rotate the tires: Your car tires can lose air pressure over time, especially if they are exposed to extreme temperatures or changes in altitude. This can affect your car's handling, braking and fuel efficiency. It can also cause flat spots on your tires if they are not rotated regularly. To prevent this, you should inflate your tires to the recommended pressure before you leave your car for a long time. You should also rotate your tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles to ensure even wear and tear.
4. - Wash and cover your car: Your car's exterior can also suffer from long-term parking, especially if it is exposed to dirt, dust, bird droppings, tree sap or other contaminants that can damage the paint and cause rust and corrosion. To prevent this, you should wash your car thoroughly before you leave it for a long time. You should also cover your car with a breathable and waterproof cover that fits snugly around your car.
5. - Park in a safe and dry place: The location where you park your car can also affect its condition while you are away. You should avoid parking in places that are prone to theft, vandalism or natural disasters. You should also avoid parking in places that are too hot or too cold, too humid or too dry, or too sunny or too dark. Ideally, you should park your car in a garage or a covered parking lot that has good ventilation and security.

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Conclusion

Letting your car sit for a month or more without starting it and not checking the oil level can cause some damage to your car's engine and other components. However, you can prevent this by following some simple maintenance tips before you leave your car for a long period.

By checking and maintaining your oil level and other fluid levels, disconnecting or charging your battery, inflating and rotating your tires, washing and covering your car and parking in a safe and dry place, you can ensure that your car will be in good shape when you return.

Read Also: 15 Maintenance Tips That Will Extend the Life of Your Car

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