Tips For Driving Less
Make sure your vehicle gets the care it needs.
As many of us continue our work from home routines or begin virtual schooling, it’s inevitable that our cars are being driven less. Here are a few quick maintenance tips to make sure your Honda stays in tip-top shape.
Even your Honda has a new routine.
While many of us have adjusted to a new work-from-home lifestyle, our vehicle care may need adjustments as well. If your car is sitting idle, there are several things you can do to protect it from wearing down over time. Even though you are not putting as many miles on your car, regular upkeep and maintenance items are still are still an important part of keeping your vehicle in good repair. To find out more about what you can do to maintain the health and performance of your vehicle, read our tips for driving less below!
How to care for a vehicle that is rarely driven
Consider these maintenance tips to keep your Honda performing at its best even when you are driving it less.
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Don't forget your intervals. When is it time for service? We often let our vehicle’s mileage be our guide, but don’t forget that time plays an important component as well. Typical service intervals are 5k-miles/6-months or 10k-miles/12-months, whichever occurs first.
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Show your battery some love. Have you noticed a dead battery or needed a jump? Not driving your vehicle for long periods of time can drain your battery. To maintain your battery’s charge, we recommend driving your car at least once a week for 20 minutes or more.
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Give your car a deep clean. Make sure both the exterior and interior of your vehicle are clean to help deter rodents and other pests. Remove any crumbs or food wrappers that might attract these critters. Other deterents such as dryer sheets or moth balls have been suggested, but they may require you to air out your vehicle before driving again.
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Don't let your tires get tired. Keep an eye on your tires by occasionally checking your tire pressure. Maintaining proper tire pressure when a vehicle is sitting helps prolong the life of the rubber, and ensures your tires are ready to go when you are.
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Fuel up on gasoline. If you know your car will be sitting for an extended period of time, filling up your gas tank will help decrease the amount of condensation caused by changes in the weather. Gasoline should last around three to six months, so if your vehicle will be stored unused longer than that it may be a better option to drain the fuel.
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Keep an eye on the brakes. If you are not driving as much, there is a chance for rust to form on your brake rotors. The risk is even higher if you park your vehicle outside. The best remedy to help prevent corrosion is to take the car out for a short drive once per week.
