PERSONAL CAR SPECIAL............ Drive Away Your Worries with a Little Car Care

Drive Away Your Worries with a Little Car Care 

A few small, but significant measures that will ensure not only the well-being of your vehicle, but of your wallet as well

    Leaving your car in the parking lot or in the open unattended while you are away for work or vacation for more than a month is not a very smart idea, say automobile experts. It could cause serious damage to the car, and fixing the problems could leave a big hole in your pocket. Besides scratches, dents and physical damages, there is a possibility of other damages as well. For example, your battery could drain out, and you may have to replace it which could cost you anything between . 5,000 and . 10,000. That’s why it makes sense to take a few small steps to ensure the well being of your car and you wallet. “Use an appropriate car cover, keep the fuel tank full, disconnect the battery, slightly overinflate the tyres, and if away for more than a month, park it on an axle,” says Banwari Lal Sharma, AVP (marketing), carwale.com — an automotive portal. “Make provisions to pay your premium on time. If the policy lapses, the insurance company may insist on examining the car before renewing the policy. All this could waste time and you would not be able to use your car in the interim process,” says Roshun Povaiah, automobile expert at cartoq.com
A cover for your car
A car cover will protect your car when it is parked outdoors. It will also prevent the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation, rains, bird droppings, wind-borne particles, sun fading, or even animal claws. “Try to use a cover, which lets the air circulate,” says Sharma of carwale.com. If your car is parked inside a garage, you could simply cover it with old bed sheets, with the sides hanging loose for air to circulate. Finally, ensure that the interiors are clean. Remove any food particle that could attract rodents. Spilt liquids like milk or soft drinks could attract bugs that could damage your car upholstery. As a precautionary measure, drop some naphthalene balls into the car to keep bugs away and prevent any foul smell. Finally, keep the fuel tank full. “A full tank will prevent any moisture from accumulating inside the tank and help keep the seals away from drying,” says Rajesh Sood, CEO, ecardlr — an automotive portal.
Discharge battery,
over-inflate tyres
Battery tends to drain out if left unused for more than a month. “If possible, get someone to start the car every two weeks and drive it for 10 minutes. This will keep the battery charged, and will keep the engine and other components lubricated,” says Roshun Povaiah. However, in case you are unable to get anyone, it makes sense to disconnect the battery to prevent draining. Car tyres do tend to develop flat spots when a car is not used for a long time. It makes sense to park it on an axle, so that tyres are well maintained. “If you are going to be away for more than three months, consider leaving the car on axle stands or on bricks,” says Povaiah of cartoq.com. When a car is left standing for long duration of time, it will lose some air; hence, slight over-inflation of tyres will help them remain in good shape. Finally, also lubricate all latches and hinges with grease, as this could keep air and moisture out, preventing rust formation.
Pay for the cover on time
You should ensure before your journey that your motor insurance policy does not lapse while you are away. If your policy expires while you are away, make arrangements for the payment of premium. You can either pay your premium early, or write a post-dated cheque which can be collected by the insurance company from a family member or friend, or even pay it online. “If the policy lapses, the insurance company may insist on physically verifying the car, before renewing the insurance policy, especially if the car is more than seven-years old,” says Roshun Povaiah. Also, third party motor insurance is a must for you to drive around. “Once a policy lapses, you run the risk of running a car without insurance cover and can end up with huge losses in case of an accident,” says Sood of ecardlr.
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