Cars deteriorate when you drive them too much, but the same is true if you drive them too little. An inactive vehicle is still at risk of breaking down given enough time, which means you should know what to do after pulling your car out of storage. It could have any number of problems, from the fluids to the wheels, so you’ll need to give it a good once-over to ensure everything is as it should be—or decide if something needs replacing.
Inspect All Components Under the Hood
Your engine has many vital components that can degrade and malfunction quickly and several fluids that can dry up, evaporate, or go bad. The first thing you need to do is check if there’s any corrosion forming around your battery and see if it still has a strong charge. Next, check all cables and hoses for cracks or leaks in the system.
Check if your vehicle needs more coolant or an oil change. Neglecting these for too long can cause severe damage to your engine to the point of making it unusable.
Have the Tires Degraded?
Inspect your tires’ tread depth to ensure they can still reliably maintain traction on the road. If you find any of the tires deflated, there are two common causes. First, it may be natural air leakage from the sealing, and all you need to do is fill it back up. The other possibility is that there is a puncture somewhere, in which case, you’ll need to replace the tire.
Depending on how long your car’s been in storage, it may be a good idea to switch out all the tires anyway. There are several advantages to investing in a new set of tires, but the most important reason is that you eliminate the possibility of driving on old, faulty wheels.
Don’t Neglect the Brakes and Suspension
After you’ve made sure everything else is in good condition, take your vehicle out for a quick drive to feel how it handles. Test out the brakes by coming to a few abrupt stops, and take your car over some bumps or small potholes. These won’t cause any damage to your car, but they’ll give you an opportunity to listen for concerning noises or feel for poor handling.
Always Check Before You Drive
You need to know what to look for after taking your car out of storage and go over your vehicle with a fine-tooth comb. Failing to notice critical maintenance issues or compromised components can lead to significant damage to your vehicle and put you and others at risk of injury.