Why COVID-19 shutdowns may be bad for your car

By Eric Novak on May 1, 2020
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Pausing your daily commute is likely saving you money on fuel, but not driving at all for weeks on end could cause problems you'll pay later to fix.

Photo by Tristan Billet on Unsplash

When was the last time you paid any serious attention to the traffic report? For most of us, it’s been weeks, as we have shifted to working from home, or dealing with job layoffs related to the COVID-19 shutdown. And if you haven’t been commuting to work, chances are good that your vehicle hasn’t been getting much, or any, use during this time. Not driving has its financial advantages, since you aren’t gassing or charging the car up as often, and may even save money on auto insurance premiums. On the flipside, a vehicle that sits idle for too long could end up racking up hefty repair bills. Think about it this way: Vehicles are a lot like the muscles in our body, in that if we don’t use them, they’ll begin to atrophy. So just as we take steps while sheltering in place to maintain our physical well-being—daily walks, at-home yoga, getting up to stretch throughout the day—we should be doing things to ensure our vehicle stays in good working order as well. “Sitting is one of the worst things that can happen to a car,” advises mechanic Brian Early of Auto Experts in Oshawa, Ont. Vehicles that aren’t used for prolonged periods are at greater risk for developing problems.

Corrosion

When looking specifically at the COVID-19 shutdown, Early notes that one of the biggest mechanical issues he’s been seeing are corroded brakes. With our economic shutdown happening just as winter transitioned into spring, there’s been plenty of moisture around to seep into a stationary car and into the brake systems. “The risk is less for those who keep their vehicles in a garage or indoor parking lot as opposed to on a driveway” he notes, “but many of us keep our vehicles regularly parked outside.”

Drained batteries

Another mechanical concern for vehicles parked for prolonged periods relates to batteries. Even when parked and switched off, a vehicle will still draw from its battery due to the many electronics they are equipped with. To overcome this risk, Early recommends the use of a battery tender, which is a device that plugs into a standard AC outlet and transfers power in the form of amps to your 12 V battery to keep it operational over long periods of inactivity. A battery tender costs about $50 to buy, but to be able to use one, a vehicle has to be parked close enough to a power outlet that the tender can be consistently plugged into. Vehicles sitting dormant will also have the engine oil run off the surfaces inside an engine. While this commonly happens even if parked overnight, Early notes it’s important after long stretches of not using your vehicle to avoid starting up and jumping quickly onto a highway, as the lack of lubrication can cause your engine to seize. “Let an engine run for maybe a minute or two, or just drive normally for a bit before getting onto a highway where the engine is worked harder than on a normal street.”

Preventative measures

In order to avoid these issues, Early says the single best thing owners can do is to take their vehicle out frequently for a drive. “Vehicles like to be driven. It doesn’t have to be for long periods of time, but they shouldn’t be left unused for prolonged periods.” Once a week ought to do it. For some vehicle owners though, the need for mechanical servicing will still be necessary and in our socially distant environment, the safe handling and exchange of the vehicle is crucial. Early says that as his shop is smaller than some of the multi-bay national chains, his challenges are a bit different when it comes to social distancing. “We’ve restricted capacity in our waiting room, so for some people if they choose to wait, they will have to do so outside.” He regularly wears gloves while servicing vehicles, especially when dealing with the interior, but he strongly suggests that no matter how many safety protocols a mechanical shop may employ, owners should still take a moment to wipe down their vehicle after receiving it back. Focusing on key touch points like controls, the steering wheel and seat adjustments are always a good idea, however Early cautions that we have to be careful about what we use. “Certain cleaning products we use in our homes are not designed for use inside a car” he says. Products such as Windex if used to clean a touchscreen can potentially damage the surface and cause cloudiness, so it is important to be mindful of what you use so as to not cause more expensive damage to the vehicle’s components. Disinfecting wipes are generally safe to use, but owners should consider consulting their owners manuals or speak directly with the automaker to confirm what should and should not be used. While it remains advisable to stay at home as much as possible to move beyond this pandemic, taking frequent but short drives in your vehicle can go a long way to mitigating the risks that come with leaving your car to sit alone and unused for long periods of time. It seems that a bit of frequent driving can be good for both one’s state of mind as well as your vehicle’s state of good repair. MORE ABOUT AUTO: