How to Keep an Unused Car Healthy

San Diego drivers that have a special car they rarely use often ask us at BMW of San Diego how to keep an unused car healthy. Your battery, brakes, tires, and fuel can all degrade if your car sits idle in your garage for too long.

In addition, too much idle time may negatively impact your car’s resale value, so it’s a good idea to drive it once in a while. Why not show it off on a long drive out to Chula Vista or Encinitas? Explore our guide on how to keep an unused car healthy.

How to Keep the Battery Charged

If you’re wondering how to keep an unused car healthy, your first concern is probably the battery. Factors like battery age and maintenance history affect how long your battery will last while your BMW sits idle. These are some tips on how to avoid a dead battery:

• Start your vehicle once a week, and keep it running for 5 to 10 minutes. If your vehicle is in a garage, open the garage door or back your car into the driveway for some ventilation.
• Use a battery tender which plugs into the household outlet in your garage and will keep your battery at the proper voltage. Be sure to disconnect your battery from the battery tender before taking your car out on El Cajon roads.

Brake Maintenance While Your Car is Idle

Did you know that your vehicle’s brakes may also suffer from too much disuse? Brake rotors can rust, so auto experts recommend taking your car out for a short drive once or twice a week to clear away any rust buildup. If your BMW is parked with the parking brake engaged, routinely setting and releasing the tension will help keep your unused car healthy for many years.

Keeping Tabs on Tire Pressure

Your tires lose air naturally over time, even if there are no leaks. Improper air pressure will negatively impact tire longevity, so we suggest checking and restoring proper tire pressure on a consistent basis. If you expect that you won’t be driving your BMW a while, it’s best to overfill your tires by 5 to 10 psi. This helps them from forming flat spots from sitting in one place.

Will Gas Degrade Over Time?

Even though the fuel system on your BMW is designed to seal your fuel away from oxygen, humidity, and heat, some amount of exposure could still occur. What can you do to minimize any gas degradation? Try to keep your tank full to minimize oxygen exposure and tank condensation. You can also add a fuel stabilizer solution to your gas tank. You can order it from the parts center at BMW of San Diego.

BMW of San Diego is Always at Your Service

If you have questions about maintaining your BMW, talk to our service department. Our highly trained technicians are here to help out with routine car care like tire rotation, oil changes, and more. Review our service specials online and then contact us today!