Home » COVID-19 and Your Car Health

Now more than ever, it is crucial that your car is healthy and functioning safely. With the impact COVID-19 has had on businesses and the state of Illinois as a whole, many individuals are now left working from home, which in turn has left their vehicle “unemployed.” Although your car might appreciate the nice break in weekly mileage, the lack of usage can cause unintended consequences that can could create the need for emergency roadside assistance in Belleville, IL. During this quarantine, make sure to follow these steps to avoid creating a need for costly repairs or an unsafe driving situation.

1. Check Your Tires

One obvious factor that can lead to needing a towing service in Belleville, IL is a disconnect between you and your tires. With your car spending most of its time parked in the driveway, it might seem like tires would be the least of your worries. However, your tires could be losing pressure; it’s important to make sure they are properly aired before getting back on the road to avoid driving with low tire pressure or even worse, a flat tire. If your tire has been punctured, it is much easier to catch it at home and bring the tire in separate for a flat tire repair in Belleville, IL rather than calling a tow truck from the side of the road. Additionally, staying parked in one spot for too long can generate “flat spots” on your tire from where it meets the ground. To avoid a flat spot, make sure to at least move the car every couple of days to ensure your tires maintain proper shape. A flat spot can be a dangerous factor while driving, and certainly can ruin a smooth ride.

2. Check For Animals

When you leave your car parked for days on end, it can start to look like home to critters who need one. Before you start your car, it is worth popping the hood to check for any animals (in particular, cats) that might be squatting on your engine block. Checking beforehand allows you to shoo them away before any harm is done. After all, distressed animal noises coming from your engine could be a dangerous distraction while on the highway. Furthermore, an unused car can become the Taj Mahal for rodents and insects; this goes back to the first point which mentions moving your car. By moving the vehicle, it gives you a chance to reintroduce your presence in your car and check for any bugs or mice that might’ve moved in, or prevent it altogether. Lastly, if you do find mice in your car, try placing dryer sheets around the vehicle and in any spots where signs of mouse activity are present. The dryer sheets will deter the mice and make for an unwelcoming habitat.

3. Make Sure You Are Up to Date

In a quarantine, it’s easy to lose track of the days. Suddenly, its April and you are getting pulled over for expired tags. Use this quarantine time to ensure that your insurance, license, and car registration are all up to date. It’s easy to forget these factors when it’s been a month since you last drove, but it makes no difference to the police. Once you’ve: applied your new stickers, placed your new insurance card in the car where you know where to find it, and are sure that your license is not expired, you can rest easy knowing that you are operating within the laws of the road.

4. Check Your Battery

This one is hard to miss. We all know the dreaded sound of a turned-ignition with no battery power. Hopefully you aren’t in a hurry! Checking your battery for corrosion or poor connections is important in keeping your car running properly. Furthermore, a battery that has sat idle for too long can lose its charge. By checking your battery before you need to be anywhere, it gives you time up front to place it on a trickle charger. Although jumper cables are a straight-to-the-point to jumping a battery, a trickle charger is better for the life of the battery, as well as the car as a whole. If the battery fails to hold a charge, it’s time to replace it! Remember to bring the dead battery with you so you can trade it in for some credit towards the new one (usually around $10).

 

Paule Towing in Belleville, Illinois is as always, here to help. Although our compliance with the CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19 might prevent us from shaking your hand for the time being, rest assured that your vehicle is in good hands if ever you need our assistance. Call us at: (618) 233-7464 for any roadside assistance or towing needs!