Holiday periods (like the Easter break) always get me thinking about how we treat our vehicles. They get us from A to B, keep us safe and can cost a pretty penny. So, we want to get the most out of them…
If you’ve been working from home for a while or maybe favouring public transport recently, you probably haven’t used your vehicle that much. That’s fine (traffic is no one’s idea of a good time) but if it’s been a while, you need to make sure your vehicle is in safe working order.
Here are some simple tricks of the trade:
- While you’re home you can keep an eye on your vehicle’s battery to ensure it doesn’t go flat. Do this by starting up your vehicle a couple of times a week and let it idle for 10 minutes. Or perhaps take it for a short run to the shops once a week
- You should also check over the tyres for any deflation, and inflate them to the manufacturers’ recommended pressures at the closest service station
- If you are confident, check the condition of your engine’s oil and coolant at the same time.
Conducting these simple procedures should ensure your vehicle is in good working order while it’s hibernating in the carport.
But time and non-use are the enemies of complicated machinery, like a vehicle. They need a run to keep things lubricated and operating smoothly. Even if they are not being driven regularly, vehicles need to have their oil and fluids changed, as these degrade over time.
The best thing to do is have a professional look over your vehicle for any service and safety issues to ensure it’s in tip-top shape, and that it will be ready to go when you are.
Look for the orange sign.
Words: VACC CEO Geoff Gwilym. As featured in the Herald Sun on 7 April 2023.