Changes in how the world works means more people are working from home and driving to the office less frequently, or not at all. Not putting the miles on your car can feel good, but your Mazda will suffer from a lack of use over time. Tire pressure drops, engine oil becomes diluted from water vapor, and the car itself doesn’t get driven enough for the engine to keep parts lubricated. An idle engine is an engine that can break down more frequently if not used on occasion. Following is a look at the maintenance your Mazda needs even when you’re not driving frequently.
An internal combustion engine requires a regular operation to keep parts lubricated, and the battery charged. Turning the engine over at least once a week and letting the engine get to operating temperature helps keep the engine functional and reliable. Driving the car for at least 15 minutes also helps with keeping the engine in good condition.
Engine oil won’t break down if it’s left to sit for long periods of time, but water vapor can build up and dilute the oil. If you’re not driving your car frequently and not giving the engine enough time to warm up, the oil won’t get hot enough to evaporate the water. This can cause sludge to form in the oil tank and cause internal corrosion that damages the engine block. Change the oil even if you haven’t driven more than 3,500 miles in the last year.
Cars use fluids for the brakes, radiator, transmission, windshield washer, differential, and power steering. Some of these fluids can evaporate or leak when a car is left to stand for long periods of time due to seals drying out from lack of use. Turning over your car helps prevent fluid loss.
Tires support the weight of your car and are prone to losing air over time. The longer your car sits, the more pressure gets put on one area of the tires. The end result is a loss of tire pressure and potential damage to your tires. Move your car every few days to keep the tires rotated and reduce the risk of a flat.
Make an appointment with our service department today at Serra Mazda Brighton and have one of our trained technicians make sure your car has what it needs. Our technicians will make sure that your car operates according to manufacturer standards and advise you on your car’s maintenance needs while you’re driving less than usual. We help you keep your car in shape so you can rely on it to run when you need it to.
