Photo by Edwin Hooper on Unsplash
Welcome to the June blog! Larry’s Independent Service hopes you and your family have held out, followed the rules, and are ready to enjoy a summer of fun travels!
It’s interesting what the shutdowns, quarantines, and self-isolations did to the United States over the past year. Those who could do so began to work from home, with just a small portion of society still manning the walls of services we need (like health services, contract building, and auto repairs).
With many people abandoning the office commute for home offices, few cars were on the road. With people driving their car less, many people who play the game of “I’ll fix it when it breaks” are now discovering the problems that can occur when you stop driving a car for long periods, such as battery drains, corrosion buildup, and tire wear.. Leaving your car sitting around for too long can cause serious maintenance issues, which is why preventative maintenance can help preserve your car.
Those among us who kept up a regular schedule of service didn’t have the issues. Wear issues, engine stress issues-- we were informed all along and got our vehicles serviced when the moment was right, preventing potential problems from cropping up. It’s been a great lesson in the value of preventive maintenance to keep a car running through a pandemic, to have good communication from your mechanic about what the car’s immediate and long-term needs are.
Here are a few of the things you should be doing for a car, if you’ve been neglecting it these many months:
Changing your oil - Taking shorter drives means that you should not delay getting your oil changed. Oil degrades over time and it is important to make sure that your oil stays fresh.
Brake repair - Rust can build up over time on brake discs and although it is common, it can lead to serious issues. Rust built up on disc pads might not be a big deal if the amount of rust is minimal. However, if not taken care of soon enough, the rust can build up and cause brake damage.
Battery - Driving your car actually charges its battery through the alternator, so letting your car sit for long periods of time doesn’t allow the battery to get its necessary charge and could cause it to die.
Rotating Tires - Tires can deteriorate under the weight of the vehicle if not used throughout a steady period of time, which is why it is important to rotate them and check the air pressure regularly.
Cars parked for an extended amount of time can lead to issues. They are meant to be driven. Even if you aren’t driving your car, it is important to continue caring for your vehicle. For preventative maintenance You can click on this embedded link to schedule an appointment. Or feel free to call us at (949) 238-6633. We’re located at 25721 Taladro Circle Unit A, Mission Viejo, CA 92691, and we're open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM.