How to keep your car roadworthy during lockdown

In the wake of the UK government extending the Coronavirus lockdown for another three weeks, those of us with cars parked outside now need to be seriously addressing how to look after the vehicle, and to ensure it’s ready to go if, and when you need it. Remember, of course, that government advice is to stay at home and only venture out for specific, essential reason. Unfortunately, especially for us who live to drive cars, that doesn’t allow for leisurely drives simply to keep the car ticking over. So we’ve gathered advice from those helpful people at both Lexus and AA Cars, who have each given us some helpful tips on how to maintain a car if it is parked for a long period of time with very little use. “Of course, there are technical and safety aspects to consider when your car is left standing for a long period of time,” Ben Murphy, Lexus UK’s professional car detailer, said. “By following our advice on how to keep batteries charged and by checking and maintaining tyre pressures, for example, you can be sure that your car will be ready to use safely, when it’s next needed. “However, it’s important not to forget to clean your car, especially at this time of year. I emphasise I’m certainly not suggesting a full wash and wax is appropriate — and it definitely doesn't fall under 'essential reason' to be out — during the lockdown. But if the car is not garaged, acidic bird droppings should definitely be removed to avoid damage occurring to paintwork.” And James Fairclough, CEO of AA Cars and AA Financial Services, highlighted the legal requirement to keeping your vehicle safe to drive. “From a legal standpoint, the Government has cut drivers substantial slack,” Fairclough explained. “Vehicles with MOT expiry dates on or after March are being given an automatic six-month extension. “This means that if this applies to you, your vehicle will have a valid MOT certificate for an extra six months. However there’s one important caveat; the Government insists you must keep your vehicle safe to drive.” So, let’s checkout the experts’ advice. No difficult car maintenance is necessary, however the following tips can help ensure your car remains in tip-top condition during any extended layoff. Top up your car's fuel Before parking your car up for a long period, it’s a good idea to top up with fuel. A full tank will prevent condensation forming inside, which could cause issues if allowed to build up over time. Crucially, a full tank will ensure that if you do need to make an essential journey, your car is ready to go. Check the tyre pressure Check the tyres are fully inflated to the recommended level. It can be a good idea to repeat this process when you first drive your car after a long period of inactivity. Storing the car Clean the car thoroughly inside and out and if you are storing it in a garage, make sure it is completely dry before you put it away. If you do plan to store your car in a garage, ensure the chosen storage area offers plenty of ventilation. If the space is secure, you could consider opening one of the car’s windows a small way to ventilate the interior. If you do this, you might have to change your car alarm’s setting to prevent it setting off the intrusion sensor; best to consult your car’s manual for more information. Disengage the park brake It can be beneficial to leave the vehicle with the parking brake disengaged to prevent the brakes from binding, but only do this if you are certain the car is on level ground and isn’t going to move. Ensure the transmission is set to ‘P’ for park and if you have a manual car put it into first gear, and place wedges or chocks, if you have them, under the wheels. Put the car keys away If you aren’t planning to drive your car for a long time, put the smart key in a safe place and don’t carry it around with you in your pocket. This will prevent the car from ‘waking up’ unnecessarily should you happen to walk near it in your garage or driveway. If your vehicle is equipped with smart entry and start, but the system isn’t operated for a long time, a battery-saving function will automatically be activated to prevent the 12-volt battery from being discharged. Starting the car regularly Regular start-up of the vehicle on conventional petrol and diesel engines needs approximately 20 minutes of running to put back into the battery what you remove on start up, so to maintain this battery, running the engine for a period of time at least once a week is advised. The length of time needed to charge the battery will vary according to the model. Lexus also has some specific advice on caring for hybrids during long periods of inactivity. Hybrids generally contain two batteries: a 12-volt battery (which powers systems such as the headlamps and audio) and a high-voltage hybrid system battery (which supplies the power to start the combustion engine and drive the electric motors). The simplest way to maintain charge in both of these is to simply go through the normal start procedure: press the Start button with your foot on the brake until the ‘Ready’ light is illuminated on the dashboard. Earlier hybrid models may have key ignitions to start the car. Lexus recommends the car is put into ‘Ready’ mode for about 60 minutes (no need to keep your foot on the brake) before switching it off again and repeating the process every couple of weeks. Always adhere to the government’s advice regarding social distancing and coronavirus (Covid-19) and please don’t leave your car unattended when it is switched on. While the car is in ‘Ready’ mode, you may hear and feel the internal combustion engine kick in, which is a normal part of the self-charging process. You might be tempted to switch on the radio to pass the time, or turn on other systems, but these will consume small amounts of electrical power so it’s best to leave them off. Ensure the parking brake is on; there’s no need to go for a drive, although we must stress that this procedure should take place in a well-ventilated area; something to consider especially if you park your vehicle in a garage. Keeping the battery charged If you have a 12V battery trickle charger, or a solar panel charger, and are confident using them, then these are a good option to keep the battery fully charged while the vehicle is stationary for a period of time. You might want to consider an intelligent trickle charger that will only charge the battery when it needs to, but these are likely to be more expensive. If you find you car's battery has gone flat, follow our advice on how to jump start it. Saving on tax Even if you are not using it, you will still have to tax your car unless remove it from the public highway and declare it off road. If the vehicle will be kept on private property (such as inside a garage) for the duration of its storage, you could consider applying for a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). This informs the DVLA that the car is off the road and you will receive a refund of any remaining full months of tax. However, you won’t be able to drive your car legally until you tax it again, so it’s only advisable if you are positive you won’t use your car for a long time. You can read more information about how to SORN your car here. Final checks If you are driving for the first time in a while, don’t forget to make some final checks. Make sure the lights are working; ensure the windscreen doesn’t have any cracks; and top up the car’s fluid reservoirs – including oil, brake fluid and screenwash — if needed. If your car has been standing for a long time, arrange a full service once it’s running again.