During this time, you may not be driving your vehicle as often as you normally do. A vehicle is engineered to be driven. There are many moving parts that may seize if they aren’t exercised regularly. If your car sits outside in one spot for a prolonged period of time, it is exposed to the elements (including small animals) that may find a new home in your engine bay. Tires may begin to lose air, and if parked for months, may even begin to develop flat spots causing a less than pleasant ride. Gasoline that sits for long periods of time tends to break down, and not ignite properly, therefore causing your vehicle to run poorly or not at all. Lastly, avoid using your parking brake. It may hang up and be difficult to release.

How can I avoid all of these problems? Is there anything I can do? Of course, there are actually a number of things you can do to make sure your vehicle remains in proper running condition. First off, drive it two to three times per week to keep everything moving and lubed properly. You do not want to cause damage and have a hefty bill when you start driving the vehicle regularly again.

In order to avoid little critters moving in and making a new home, it is best to utilize a repellent to keep them at bay. Mothballs work great to keep most animals away. Place them around the perimeter of your car in abundance, especially around the front to keep them away from the engine and sensitive wiring.

Make sure to keep an eye on the tires and keep air pressure up to spec. Going for the suggested drive two or three times a week will ensure that the tires do not deflate, resulting in flat spots.

Utilize a gasoline stabilizer that will prolong the life of your gasoline. Bad gas can cause harm to your fuel system, and you do not want a hefty repair bill just to be able to drive your car normally again. When using a stabilizer, you should be able to go months on the same tank of fuel with no problems.

Do not use your parking brake when parked for long periods of time. “If you don’t use it, you lose it” is a good reference when thinking about the function of a parking brake. If you keep it in place for a period of time it may hang up and not release properly. You may end up driving down the road fighting your parking brake and cause unwanted damage.