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Consumer Reports’ expert tells you what to do if your post-pandemic commute has dwindled or disappeared
A lot has changed over the past couple of years, with many people’s post-pandemic commutes consisting of a shuffle from the bed to the desk. Although vehicle traffic volumes are more or less back to normal, many people may find themselves looking out the window at a now seldom-used car. Not having to drive can save you time and money on fuel, but letting a car sit for too long can cause maintenance issues. Among them: dead batteries; rusted brakes; dried-out and leaking seals; and insect or rodent infestation. Any of these issues can make your car become a lot less valuable, and less safe to operate.
The main thing to do, says John Ibbotson, Consumer Reports’ chief mechanic, is to drive the car every week or two at a minimum.
“Starting the car, getting the engine, transmission, differential, tires, and brakes up to operating temperature by driving it around will do a lot to prevent leaks and other problems,” he says. “The last thing you want is to get into a car you paid money for and expect to work and find a mouse nest in the heater vents and the brakes seized up with rust.”
If you’re not driving a lot, another option is to sell your car—there’s never been a better time to unload a used car—and maybe look at replacing it with a bicycle, e-bike, electric scooter, or other smaller-scale mobility device if you can.
But if you still need to keep your car despite not driving it much, here’s what Ibbotson recommends:
Drive the car once a week. Start the car and drive it for 15 or 20 minutes to warm it up. This will help keep cooling, lubrication, and fuel system parts in shape, will charge the battery, and will prevent flat spots from forming on the tires. Use the brakes frequently to remove any rust that has formed on the brake rotors. Pick a day and stick to it. That way your car won’t sit for too long.
Check the tire pressure. Most factory maintenance guides recommend doing this once a week, as underinflated tires can negatively impact the car’s handling and road safety. CR experts say once a month will suffice. The key is to make checking your tire pressure a routine task.
Check the fluids regularly. Make sure the oil, coolant, and windshield washer fluid are topped off. Check under the car for leaks. Even if you’re not driving the car much, oils and coolant still need to be changed periodically. Refer to your car’s manufacturer-recommended change intervals.
Check underhood belts and hoses. Every month or so, take a peek under the hood and make sure the engine’s accessory belt is free of cracks. Make sure hoses aren’t cracked or leaking. (Learn more about inspecting underhood.)
Use a battery tender. Depending upon where you park, you could hook up a battery tender—known as a trickle charger—to keep your battery from running down. Car batteries are designed to remain “topped off,” so letting the voltage run low can cause them to wear out more quickly. Make sure the tender you use is a “smart” device that automatically shuts off when the battery is fully charged. Overcharging a battery can damage it or cause a fire. Also make sure that it is compatible with the type of battery in your car, as some chargers won’t work with certain batteries.
Guard against insects and rodents. Your car is at risk for infestation even if it’s parked in a garage. There are a number of ways you can approach this, ranging from laying dryer sheets inside the car to placing traps. Make sure whatever you do won’t inadvertently harm children or pets. (Learn more about protecting your car from rodents.)
Benjamin Preston
My reporting has taken me everywhere from Baghdad, Iraq, to the Detroit auto show, along the U.S.-Mexico border and everywhere in between. If my travels have taught me anything, it’s that stuff—consumer products—is at the center of daily life all over the world. That’s why I’m so jazzed to be shining light on what works, what doesn’t, and how people can enrich their lives by being smarter consumers. When I’m not reporting, I can usually be found at home with my family, at the beach surfing, or in my driveway, wrenching on my hot rod ’74 Olds sedan.
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