Leaving a car sitting in the garage seems like the safest solution to protect it, yet many drivers discover that, when needed, the car no longer starts. The problem is not where you park your car, but how you leave it unattended for weeks or months. Let’s see how to behave and what mistakes to avoid.
Lack of preventive maintenance
The biggest risk is finding the battery completely discharged when you pick up the car. The battery continues to deliver energy even when the engine is turned off. The alarm, the dashboard clock and other electronic devices consume electricity constantly and after a few weeks of non-use, the charge runs out.
Modern cars suffer from this problem even more. Connectivity systems, electronic control units and sensors require energy even when the vehicle is off. If the battery is old, if the electrical system has small leaks or if the charging system is inefficient, the problem manifests itself even sooner.
The most effective solution is to disconnect the battery power cables before leaving the car stationary. Alternatively, you can connect a charge maintainer, an automatic device that comes into operation when it detects a decrease in charge and restores the energy consumed.
Tires deform without you realizing it
Tires also suffer from prolonged inactivity. After a long period without movement, the tires tend to deflate and become oval, losing their original shape. This phenomenon is called “flat spotting” and occurs because the weight of the car constantly crushes the tread in the same point.
If the tires are in good condition and the car remains stationary for a few weeks, this deformation is almost certainly temporary and disappears after driving a few dozen kilometres. But if the break extends beyond a month, especially with flat tires, the deformation can become permanent.
Tires lose an average of 0.1 to 0.3 bar of pressure per month. Before leaving the car stationary for a long time, it is best to inflate them by adding 0.5 bar to the maximum pressure recommended by the manufacturer, a measure that avoids excessive deflation which makes driving dangerous when you pick up the car.
The brakes lock up due to humidity
Moisture can cause pads to stick to brake discs through a layer of oxide that forms on the metal surfaces. Anyone who has a damp garage knows this problem well: you get into the car, you turn the key and the vehicle struggles to move. When the car remains stationary for a long time, especially outdoors, the surface of the brake discs tends to rust.
In most cases, just a few brake applications are enough to eliminate surface rust. The problem becomes serious when corrosion penetrates deeply or when the brake calipers seize up. Moisture causes corrosion and can lead to jamming of the pistons and guide pins of the calipers.
Before getting back on the road after a long stop, you should use the brakes carefully and check the response. The brakes may also need a check or a “tightening”. If you experience resistance or abnormal noises, it is best to have the braking system checked by a professional.
The fuel does not go too full or too empty
Petrol easily undergoes changes in volume with changes in temperatures and has a very low evaporation point. Leaving the tank completely full risks fuel leakage, while keeping it almost empty can lead to complete evaporation. Furthermore, on older cars, an almost empty tank favors the suction of residues accumulated on the bottom.
The golden rule suggests leaving the tank approximately half full, an amount that guarantees a sufficient reserve without the risks associated with fuel expansion.
How often should you run the engine
Many people think that running the engine for a few minutes each week helps keep the car in good shape. This is a useless, if not harmful, practice: starting the engine for a few minutes and immediately turning it off without driving can ruin the battery and risk flooding the engine or injectors.
If you really want to keep the car running, it is better to travel at least ten kilometres. A ride of at least 15 minutes allows the battery to recharge adequately and the movement also helps to lubricate the mechanical parts and prevent the brakes from locking.
Other tips not to forget
The brushes and the entire power supply and cooling circuit in the passenger compartment risk losing pressure if the car remains stationary for too long, because they contain rubber parts subject to deterioration. Once a week it is a good idea to take a general look at the car, check the fluid levels and check that there are no leaks.
The location of the parking lot can also make a certain difference. A closed, dry garage protects the bodywork and rubber components. Parking outside exposes your car to weather conditions that damage the bodywork and cables. If you don’t have a covered location, a waterproof cover helps limit damage.
For those who expect a very long stop, beyond three months, you can consider putting the car on stands to lift the tires off the ground. This solution should be reserved for those who are familiar with maintenance, because safe reassembly requires attention.
The truth is that leaving your car sitting in the garage without precautions causes more problems than you think. A few precautions are enough to avoid unpleasant surprises: disconnect the battery or connect it to a maintainer, inflate the tires with a pressure slightly higher than normal, periodically check the general condition of the vehicle. When you start driving again after weeks of stopping, you need to proceed with caution, check the response of the brakes and wait for all systems to return to full efficiency.
