If your car doesn’t run for 1 week, several weeks or even several months, it’s still at risk of wear and tear.
Protect your wipers and Park under cover
Sticking to your windscreen for months on end without working can damage the rubber on your wipers. To avoid this, you can wrap your wipers in a towel or plastic film before resting them on your windscreen.
This video can explain it more:
If possible, try to park your car in a dry place, away from bad weather, dirt or sunlight. If you don’t have a garage or covered parking space, don’t park your car under a tree. This will limit dust, bird droppings and sap, which are abrasive and harmful to your paintwork. You should also avoid crowded places or parking areas where you could be in the way of other road users, as this could lead to scratches or rubbing on your bodywork.
Clean the interior
Just as it’s essential to keep your car’s bodywork and exterior components clean, so too is the interior. If you’re not going to be using your car for a long time, make sure there’s nothing inside that will cause bad odors over time. To do this: Vacuum the interior with a dry cloth to remove all dirt and dust; don’t leave garbage, food, damp clothes or shoes lying around; Clean seats and carpets;
Wipe the dashboard, plastics and windows with a mixture of water and washing-up liquid, or a little white vinegar. Don’t forget to air the cabin, either regularly if you have the chance, or leave the windows slightly ajar to let in enough air, but not too much, to prevent dust and insects from getting inside.
Check tire pressure
Don’t underestimate the effect of gravity on your tires. Prolonged parking can deform them at the point of contact with the ground, a process known as flat spotting. If your tires have been deformed, you’re likely to feel vibrations and shocks over the first few kilometers when you get back on the road. Flat spotting can be: Temporary, and regulate themselves naturally, i.e. the tires will return to their original shape as they warm up while you’re driving. In this case, don’t worry; Semi-permanent or permanent, i.e. the deformation will remain whatever happens. In this case, call in an automotive professional, as you’ll probably have to change your tires. To limit the wear on your tires during long periods of immobilization, install chocks under your car to elevate it. It’s also advisable to slightly over-inflate your tires
If you don’t drive much but regularly, over-inflating your tires could cause them to lose grip and reduce your safety on the road. In this case, remember to check your tire pressure regularly, at least once a month.
