Dad’s maintenance tips right at home today

Every January during my teen years, my parents would fly to Miami to spend about six weeks in the sun. They’d leave the car in our driveway in Boston, along with some instructions.

“Check the tires every week — make sure they’re not flat,” Dad would say. “Unlock and lock the doors and the trunk once in a while, especially if it snows or freezes, to make sure the locks don’t freeze. Start up the motor occasionally; let it run a couple of minutes. Don’t flood the carburetor.”

The advice was sage in retrospect and worth repeating in these days of isolation and lockdowns, when many of us have ignored our vehicles for several weeks.

Some of Dad’s tips, updated and amplified, are here, along with advice from experts:

“At the end of the day, never forget that the tire is the only part of the vehicle that makes direct contact with the road,” says Pietro Berardi, head of Pirelli North America. “We recommend checking tires visually to see if there are any lumps or deformations caused by the car standing still for a long time, or by the weather conditions. Check also for damage, cuts, abrasions and the tire bulging — and ensure that the valve caps are tight.”

Tires may develop flat spots; to prevent that, move the car a foot or two forward or backward every few days.

Time is the enemy of gas in the tank, and a tank that’s only partly filled can collect condensation that can dilute the gas with water. Most experts say that even in a full tank, gas will start to deteriorate after about six months, depending on the weather. If it’s not possible to fill up, consider pouring in an additive like Sta-Bil.

Starting up the engine periodically can help to keep the battery charged, and there shouldn’t be an electricity drainage problem in just a couple of months, unless the car is being stored under extreme temperatures. If a more extended stay in the garage is planned, consider hooking up a battery trickle charger, which plugs into house current.

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