United Tire and Service News

If the past year has shown us anything, it's that more people are working from home than ever before. Are you one of them? If so, then you're probably not driving your vehicle as much. That's good and not so good news. While driving your vehicle less does allow for less wear and tear, it also means that your vehicle is not operating at a level that can ensure its health stays intact. You must continue your vehicle maintenance even while you're not driving as much. These are the areas that you should pay close attention to while working from home.

 

Your car battery needs to receive a consistent electrical supply from the alternator to stay charged. When you're not driving that much, eventually, the battery will become discharged. That will cause you to have to start your engine with a jump-start. Make sure you're starting your engine from time to time and letting it run for about 20 minutes. Once a week is sufficient. Ideally, a battery check and full battery charge should be scheduled.

 

Related: How Long Does a Car's Battery Last When Not Driving?

 

Another important area is your tires. When a vehicle sits for an extended time, tires can develop flat spots. The weight of your vehicle combined with it sitting for a prolonged period causes them to form, and they're permanent. Once flat spots develop, you may notice a thumping, vibration, or shaking while driving. You should have a tire inspection to ensure good quality condition, even though you're not adding any miles to the tread. 

Tires can also become dry-rotted, and the air pressure needs to be maintained at the proper psi levels. To prevent flat spots from occurring, try not to leave your vehicle parked in the same location for longer than 30 days. And invest in an air pressure gauge to monitor the tire air pressure. The last thing you want is to come out of your house one day and see a flat tire.  

 

Related: How Do Tire Pressure Sensors Work?

 

Working from home gives you a fantastic opportunity to save money on gas. But what good is saving money if your fuel economy suffers? Make sure that you stay consistent with your oil changes, which greatly impacts fuel economy. Over time, the oil loses its viscosity and potency. That can cause the oil to be unable to reach certain internal engine parts that it needs to lubricate. An engine can reach temperatures of over 200 degrees Fahrenheit, and inefficient oil can wreak havoc on an engine. 

 

 

Sludge is also formed throughout the engine from normal operation. If you don't stay consistent with oil changes, the sludge may build up. And that can affect the engine performance. Even if you're just taking short trips to the store and back, that doesn't mean the oil is flowing efficiently. The oil needs to circulate longer to adequately lubricate the internal engine parts. 

 

Furthermore, when your vehicle stays parked, debris, sludge, and other harmful elements can bind together in the oil pan. That can cause an oil pump to go bad or low oil pressure. Along with having your oil and filter changed, consider an oil additive. Or switch from traditional oil to semi-synthetic oil or fully synthetic oil. Both have higher potency and better protective nutrients.

 

You probably think that because your brakes aren't being utilized as much, there's no reason to be concerned about them. But there's more to brakes than just stopping your vehicle. The brake fluid can develop condensation because of moisture in the master cylinder. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means the fluid naturally attracts moisture. 

 

Also, over time, the rotors, calipers, and hardware can develop rust. When that occurs, there can be a significant amount of noise, such as squeaking or grinding. That should not prevent you from stopping, but it's not healthy for the brake system either. The noise should decrease after a few drives. But if it continues, a brake inspection should be scheduled. If the brake fluid becomes contaminated because of the moisture, a brake fluid flush by one of our skilled technicians will resolve it.

 

Related: How to Extend the Life Of Your Brakes

 

Reach out to United Tire & Service if you need any of these services completed. Our Drop N' Go Service is ideal for those who work from home. Choose a time that is convenient for you to drop your keys in our secure lockbox, and be on your way!