Your car may have been sat still on your drive for a little longer than usual as you may not have been able to get out and about in the car as much as you’re used to. Many of you will be wondering what to do with your car and what to check before driving it for the first time in a long time. Here are our top tips to make sure that your car is roadworthy:
Tip 1: Give it a good clean
Even though your car might not have been moved or been used for weeks, it may still have a layer of dirt or leaves that have fallen onto it. It’s a good idea to wash the car to make sure that all the windows are crystal clear before you set of for that first drive.
Tip 2: Check that nothing has got under the bonnet
Open up your bonnet and have a good look inside to make sure there’s nothing nesting and there’s no evidence of any chewed pipes or wires.
Tip 3: Check the tyre pressures
As the car has been stationary, it may be possible that the tyres have slowly deflated. You may need to drive to a local garage to check the pressures and fill them back up. The correct pressure is usually on the inside of your fuel cap, the inside of your door or in the owners manual.
Tip 4: Check all the fluid levels
Its important to do this before starting the engine. Open up the bonnet and check the oil, windscreen washer water and other fluid levels such as coolant and make sure these are topped up to the correct levels.
Tip 5: Test the brakes
As the car has been sat still, the brakes and handbrake may have seized up. Try putting the car into gear and driving away slowly and then gently testing the brakes and putting the handbrake on and off.
If the car has been sat still for a long time, it may be beneficial to arrange to have the car serviced so that everything can be given the once over by a professional so you can have peace of mind knowing that everything is in working order and as it should be.
