We had a customer ask an interesting question the other day, and I thought it would be a great tip to share with you. She asked:

“My mom rarely drives her car. She may take it out a few times a year at most because she isn’t getting around easily anymore. It sits in the garage most of the time. Are there any special car maintenance items I should worry about? I would say she’s putting less than a thousand miles on the car per year. I want to make sure it runs well when she does get in it. ”

A car sitting in a garage, barely used, sounds like the perfect way to preserve a vehicle. If it doesn’t hit the streets regularly, nothing wears out … right?

Think again.

A car that just sits there unused still requires care. It has a lot of stress on it because it isn’t running regularly. Therefore it will have different problems than a car you use every day.

Ever heard the phrase “use it or lose it”? In some manner, that phrase applies to cars too. Cars are all about performance. They are designed to operate when you need them. But if fluids aren’t running through the system regularly, if parts just sit there adjusting to the elements without doing their jobs, wear still occurs.

If you have a car that is rarely used, the way you care for it while not driving it can effect the way it performs. Prepare your vehicle to care for the exterior, the battery, and the engine, and it’ll be there for you whenever you decide to use it.

“Whichever Comes First” Car Maintenance Plan

You’ve probably seen those little stickers some car maintenance shops stick on windshields to remind you to get your oil changed. They remind you to schedule your next oil change on a specific date, or when you reach a certain mileage threshold, whichever comes first. That’s a good approach to car maintenance when your car doesn’t move very much.

A car that sits won’t put the mileage on, but things like oil and additives are still sitting, aging, even though the car never leaves the garage. And it’s good to replace all of that to ensure the parts stay lubricated the way they should.

When in doubt, always schedule a maintenance visit with your local mechanic based on the calendar, not on mileage.

Keep The Car Clean

If at all possible, clean the car before it sits for extended periods of time. This is especially true here in Colorado, where all kinds of things can settle in on the paint or undercarriage during seasonal driving patterns – think mag-chloride, salts, sap, etc. At a minimum, run it through the carwash whenever you get the chance. Better yet, give it a deep cleaning removing even the hard-to-remove dirt and debris, polishing, and waxing it to help protect it against the elements. Pay attention to the undercarriage too, as rust can set in if harmful chemicals settle in.

Keep The Gas Tank Full

If you know the car will be sitting in the garage for an extended time period, it’s better to sit with a full tank than one that’s partially empty. Gas has a shelf life of around six months. As gas is manufactured from crude oil, it’s mixed with a variety of refining products. That’s what makes gasoline perform in your vehicle, and keeps it as clean as possible for the environment.

It’s a careful balancing act to ensure gasoline is at its peak performance, while providing you with the necessary qualities to ensure your car will go. Over time, the qualities change. You even put in different gas depending on the time of year – winter gas is a different blend to ensure your car will go no matter what the temperature is outside.

If your car will sit in the garage, keeping the tank full will help prevent moisture from building up in the tank, which can degrade the quality of the gasoline. But keep in mind that whenever you can, it’s a good idea to run gas through the system to keep all parts operating at their best.

Top Off Fluids

Gas isn’t the only fluid that keeps your car running strong. Brake fluid, engine coolant, transmission fluid, antifreeze, even windshield washer fluid all have a purpose for your car.

While every make and model has different requirements, it’s good to have a mechanic perform a routine car maintenance check periodically to ensure all parts are at optimal performance. For example, brake pads might not wear if a car isn’t used much. But that won’t stop leaks from forming in the system, impacting the braking performance of the vehicle. Periodic checks will ensure the safety of the vehicle whenever someone sits behind the wheel.

Protect The Battery

A car battery will, on average, last around six years. Of course, that depends on how it’s treated throughout its life.

The purpose of a battery isn’t to keep the car running. Instead, it’s about providing the necessary power to get the car moving. But that doesn’t mean if you don’t use it, it won’t slowly drain. Other things can drain a battery – headlights left on, GPS or cell phones plugged in, interior lights left on. Even sitting there will eventually take its toll.

If you know the car will sit without running for an extended period of time, you might also disconnect the battery to prevent corrosion.

Other Concerns

If a car sits for too long in one location, you might have other things to deal with. A nice warm garage is often a place where mice or other critters take refuge. Check for chewed belts, hoses, or nests, which can be built just about anywhere.

Windshield wipers might also crack or break easier. Because the rubber sits, it can dry out faster than when it faces elements each day.

You should also test tire pressure periodically. Reflate them to the recommended levels; you can find that in the car manual, or check online for the make and model.

Schedule Car Maintenance Today

Not everyone drives in the same manner. While most of us drive our cars almost every day, others rarely get behind the wheel. And when a car sits idle for too long, things happen.

The best way to keep a vehicle running no matter how it’s used is to schedule car maintenance checkups every year. If you haven’t had your car serviced because of lack of mileage, schedule it today to ensure everything is running the way it should.

Owning an automobile is no longer optional. Here across the Front Range, it would be difficult to live without a car. How would you take the kids to school? How would you run errands? How would you get the family up into the hills for a day of skiing?

A car is something you depend on to get you where you’re going, every day of the week.

The newer the vehicle, the more reliable it is. But even from the moment you drive it off the showroom floor, things start to wear and break down. Every mile allows belts to wear out, tires to wear down, fluids to run low. If you don’t pay attention to the changes in your car’s normal patterns, you’re likely to miss when it starts to tell you things are changing. Action is needed. Or problems will quickly begin materializing.

Car maintenance and repair

Why is car maintenance and repair such an important thing? There are a lot of reasons why you should keep your vehicle in top shape. These are just a few of the many reasons why you should put “taking care of your car” at the top of your to-do list.

Improves safety

While basic car maintenance might not directly stop vehicle accidents from occurring, it can be a contributing factor in many situations. If your tires are bald, for example, you’re more likely to hydroplane and slide in wet or icy road conditions. By keeping all critical components of your car in top shape, your vehicle will handle better, and is more likely to react quickly when you tap on the brake pedal or turn your steering wheel.

Increases reliability

Certain parts of a vehicle will wear more than others. The windshield washer fluid reservoir can only hold a certain amount of fluid. The brake pads will only withstand a certain amount of pressure. Tires will only provide a certain amount of wear before the tread disappears. If you make a conscious decision to check and replace parts before they wear down, your car is less likely to break down when you least expect it.

Decreases your repair expenses

If you don’t put gas into your car before the tank empties, it’ll come to a complete stop, and you’ll be stuck. Every car owner understands that, so they watch the gas gauge and pull into a station before the needle hits the E marker. The rest of your car works in a similar manner, though it’s easier to ignore the warning signs. If you don’t replace motor oil, your engine won’t work at 100 percent efficiency. But it still keeps trying, and that’s when things start happening. Other parts overcompensate to make up the difference. And pretty soon that simple oil change turns into a much bigger problem. If you stick with a car maintenance checklist and you perform routine maintenance on a regular basis, your vehicle will be there when you need it.

Has a higher resale value

When people don’t take care of their car, it shows. When it’s neglected, it may have layers of dirt, parts missing, even sounds you know aren’t good for the car. When you perform car maintenance regularly, even a car that is several years old can appear to be brand new. It shines. It appears to be well cared for. Even when you climb inside or pop the hood, you can see the previous owner didn’t let things fester. And people are willing to pay a higher price, knowing they are purchasing a car that will be reliable from the moment they drive it home.

Is better for the environment

Unless you drive an electric car, you know cars that operate using fossil fuels aren’t running with the cleanest energy source. But if you operate your vehicle the way it was designed, it is operating efficiently. When you make sure your engine has the right amount of oil, for example, it’s not leaking fluid that can absorb into the ground, or sending off emissions that are bad for the environment. It runs as clean as it possibly can.

Checklist for car maintenance

Are you convinced regular car maintenance is the right thing to do?

Are you wondering how to fit regular car maintenance into your already busy schedule? That’s the easy part. With this simple checklist, you can ensure your vehicle is operating as it should for as long as you own the car. Here’s what to do.

Keep your owner’s manual handy

We get it; your owner’s manual isn’t exactly exciting reading. In fact, it can be downright intimidating. Depending on your vehicle, it can be hundreds of pages of detailed information describing every aspect of your car. But it does contain information that can help you keep your car safe and working its best. Take note of the maintenance section. It’ll give you guidelines for the things you need most, such as how often you should change out motor oil and filters, tire rotation, belts, hoses, and more.

Schedule your oil changes

From the beginning, get in the habit of scheduling regular oil changes. It’s the lifeblood of your vehicle. Without it, parts wouldn’t stay lubricated, gears wouldn’t work the way they should, and parts would wear out faster than intended. Pay attention to the manufacturer’s guidelines – what’s the best oil for your make and model? Again, refer to your owner’s manual for guidelines, and trust a reputable mechanic to ensure it’s performed in the proper manner.

Keep an eye on your tires

One of the most important car parts to help keep you on the road is the tires. If they aren’t filled properly, are worn down, or not well cared for, they can blow and increase the chances of having a major accident. Your owner’s manual will tell you proper guidelines for tire pressure. Once a month, check tire pressure and ensure that each tire is filled to proper capacity.

Belts, hoses, and fluids

Especially in the winter, when you use your windshield wipers regularly to clear away moisture and muck, you might run out of windshield wiper fluid enough you even keep a bottle in your car. When you pop the hood to fill the reservoir, take a quick peek at the hoses and belts. Does anything look out of place? You don’t have to be an auto mechanic to tell when something is wrong. If you do this regularly, you’ll recognize when everything is in its proper place, and more importantly, when something doesn’t look quite right.

Car maintenance near me

Regular car maintenance doesn’t have to be difficult or even take a lot of time. Regularity is the key.

When you have a reliable auto mechanic nearby who you can trust to tell you like it is, you’ll have a way to keep your car working in a dependable way.

No matter if you have a problem that needs to be fixed, or just want a second pair of eyes to ensure your vehicle is at its best, stop by today. We’ll help you keep your car in its best condition, so you’ll have one less thing to worry about during your busy days.