Getting Ready to Roll: Car Maintenance During COVID-19

We’ve all been doing our best to stay safe at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. And chances are that means your car has been sitting mostly unused for a while. Now that stores and offices are starting to open back up, it’s time to dust off the car and get it ready to roll.

Your car isn’t designed to sit unused for long periods of time. Batteries die and critters creep in. And leaving it sitting in the driveway has probably disrupted your usual maintenance routine, too. Get back on track with our guide on getting your car ready to hit the road again.

What You’ll Need

• Flashlight
• Battery Tester (optional)
• Jumper Cables
• Tire Gauge
• Quarter

Prepare for Ignition

Inspect the Exterior

• Walk around the car for a full visual inspection. Check for flat tires, fluid that has leaked onto the ground, or anything else that looks wrong. Remove any debris that may have fallen on it.
• Check the windshield wipers for signs of wear and cracking (especially if the vehicle has been sitting outside). Experts recommend replacing your car windshield wipers at least twice per year, so they may be due for a replacement.
• Check the condition of your tires.
  • When was the last time you checked your tread depth? Now is a great time! Get a quarter and find the area of your tire with the lowest tread. Insert the quarter, headfirst, into the tire tread. If you can see all of George Washington’s head, your tire tread is below 4/32” and needs to be replaced soon. Once a tire gets to 2/32”, it is unsafe to drive and will fail a Virginia State Inspection.
  • Manually check the air pressure of each tire with a tire gauge. Tires naturally lose air over time, so they may have low pressure even without a leak.
    • If you have an air compressor at home, go ahead and fill up any low tires. If not, we’ve got you covered. We have self-serve Free Air stations at most of our locations, or you can ask our staff to fill up your tires for free!
  • Flat tire? Time to pull out the carjack. Driving on a flat tire can cause serious damage to the tire and your wheels, so you’ll need to put on the spare before heading to the tire shop or call a tow truck.
  • Check the tire for other signs of damage or wear such as sidewall bubbles, punctures, or large cracks in the tread or sidewall (a tell-tale sign of dry rot).

Pop the Hood

• Grab your flashlight and look around under the hood. Keep an eye out for signs of animal life; engine bays can be a popular nesting spot for rats, birds, and other vermin.
• Check any visible belts and hoses for cracks, holes, and other signs of wear.
• Check your battery.
  • If you have a car battery tester, use it to check the voltage of your battery. A healthy battery typically measures 12–14 volts.
  • Does your battery look rusty or corroded? Consider cleaning the battery contacts using our handy guide: How to Clean Car Battery Contacts in 4 Easy Steps.
• Check any accessible fluids, especially the oil, windshield wiper fluid, and coolant.
  • If they’re low, you’ll need to get them topped off or changed as soon as possible.

Start Your Engine

Fire It Up

• Is your car cranking or clicking, but not starting? You probably have a dead battery—a common problem after a car has sat for long periods of time. If you have another vehicle, you can charge the battery using jumper cables. If not, give us a call! We can send a tech over to jump the battery or install a new one.
• Let the engine run for a few minutes before you start driving. This will help charge your battery and get fluids flowing again.
  • If the car is parked in a garage, make sure the garage door is open or pull out onto the driveway so the exhaust fumes can escape.
• Listen to your car. Sniff the air. Does anything sound different or smell bad? Does anything seem off?
• Check your vehicle’s dashboard. Are there any dashboard lights that are illuminated?

Take a Test Drive

• Test the brakes before you pull out onto the road. They may be a little stiffer and squeakier than normal due to accumulated rust and lack of use. The rust should wear away after a while, but if problems persist, bring your car in for a free visual brake inspection.
• Start slow. We recommend driving at a low speed in your neighborhood for a while before getting up to full highway speed.
• Pay attention to your car. Are there any new smells, sounds or vibrations now that you’re on the road?

Ready to Roll

Maintenance Matters

• Fill up any low tires with air. If you’re close to a Virginia Tire & Auto, we’ll fill them up for free! We can also fill your tires with nitrogen for just $5. Nitrogen-filled tires lose air pressure more slowly, so you’ll be able to go longer before filling up your tires again.
• Get an oil change. Since you haven’t been driving your car, you probably aren’t close to the recommended mileage listed on your window sticker. However, most manufacturers recommend getting your oil changed every six months regardless of how many miles you’ve driven. Check your owner’s manual to see your vehicle’s recommended oil change interval.
• Make sure to drive your vehicle at least once a week moving forward. Regular drives help the brakes, tires, battery and other vehicle components stay in working order.

Get Back up to Speed at Virginia Tire & Auto

Drop by one of our 17 locations to talk with one of our professional mechanics about what types of service your car needs or schedule a visit online. For contactless service, try Anytime Curbside Drop-off or VTA2You, our complimentary vehicle pick-up and drop-off service.