Stay-at-Home Orders for your Car

So you’re following the stay-at-home guidelines, only going out for food, medical necessities, or an essential job. Perhaps you’re even one of those people who can work from home and you’re having your supplies delivered. This means that not only are you sheltering in place but so is your car. The good news? You’re saving miles and travel expenses. The bad news? Your vehicle can actually suffer if left sitting too long. First, know that the entire staff at Jeff’s Auto Repair wants you to stay well and healthy. We look forward to seeing you soon at our Bellevue, Washington, location after this public health crisis has passed. Until then, we’ll give you a few pointers on how to keep your car up to par while it’s not on the road.

Things You Can Do At Home

There are some simple things you can do to maintain your vehicle while it’s sheltered in place in your garage. For instance, it’s a good idea to start the car and let it run a few minutes at least once every two weeks. (Caution: Please let the car idle outside or with the garage door open to avoid carbon monoxide build-up. Carbon monoxide is deadly!) Doing so will help you maintain your battery’s strength as well as circulate oil to lubricate the seals, preventing them from drying out, cracking, and leaking oil sooner than expected. Also, it is a good idea to operate the air conditioning system at this time. Like the engine, the AC system benefits from circulating coolant periodically to keep its seals in good working order so that you do not lose expensive refrigerant. The AC dries out the air, removing humidity, as well. This is important in preventing mold or mildew growth while your car is sitting. Finally, this may be a good time to “deep clean” your car rather than just run it through a drive-in car wash. A car’s interior needs cleaning periodically anyway, but it is particularly important to disinfect surfaces if you or a passenger may have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Just be sure to check product compatibility so that you do not cause damage to the interior with harsh chemicals.

Getting Ready to Ride Again

As the old adage reminds us, “This, too, shall pass.” Eventually, we will all be able to resume our normal driving habits as part of our daily lives. While you’re waiting for this day to come, you can look over your car and make a list of items that need to be checked by a professional or repaired (lights, windshield wipers, tires, etc.). Once the crisis has passed, you’ll be well prepared to bring your vehicle to the ASE certified technicians at Jeff’s Auto Repair in Bellevue, Washington. If you are still traveling to reach essential services or jobs, we are prepared to assist you with car service and repair through no-contact drop-off and highly sanitary in-shop practices.