How Long Can You Automobile Sit Without Being Driven?

The time it takes for your vehicle to be damaged by storage will vary. Factors including the location of your parked car and how well you prepared it are contributing factors. The negative effects of time on an undriven auto can be observed sooner than you may think: Fuel: Did you know that gasoline can go bad? When it’s not in an airtight container, fuel reacts with oxygen, which causes it to degrade. This process begins in about about 30 days. It only takes three-to-six months for a tank of gas to go bad. Old gasoline loses its engine-igniting abilities and develops gummy deposits as well as varnish which can damage other components of your vehicle’s fuel system. Battery: When you drive your automobile frequently, a battery should last between three and five years. When your vehicle is sitting, your battery will likely go dead in just two or three months. Why? Because when you drive your car, the vehicle's alternator continually recharges the battery to replenish the power you’re using. Not driving means no charging — and a dead battery. Rust: Rust is another byproduct of oxidation — It requires water to form. Damp conditions will often lead to rusted metal. Chemicals, like the salt used on winter roads can accelerate the process. You can expect bare metal to start forming surface rust in less than a week. The more time your vehicle is left unprotected, the deeper the rust can form. Tires: When your car sits for an extended period of time, flat spots may start to form in the tires. Tires develop a type of memory that prevents them from being completely round. This causes vibration when you drive the car after storage. Flat spots can begin to form after a month of a car sitting parked — and they’re made worse by low tire pressures. In many cases, driving a car for a while after storage can remove the flat spots. Often the damage can be permanent, requiring a new set of rubber. Belts and Hoses: As rubber ages it can start to dry out and crack. Because drivers are accustomed to replacing most vehicle parts based on mileage, many neglect to inspect their belts and hoses. When a vehicle is in storage, these parts may need to be replaced in as little as three-to-five years. Pests: For those critters in your garage, a parked vehicle may become a ready-made home. When they move in they can do major damage to a vehicle — chewing wires, plastic and insulation to build their nest. Rodents can move in overnight. The longer they’re left undisturbed, the more damage they can do.

What Are Highway Mile Markers??

The little green signs along the side of the highway help signal each mile from one end of the state to the other. Numbers may start at the state line, or at the beginning of that specific interstate. For east/west highways, mile markers begin on the western state border and increase as you travel east. For north/south, markers begin at the south state line and increase as you travel north. Usually, exit numbers correspond to the mileage markers on the interstate. Car-Lotta reminds you that if you happen to be on a road trip and need assistance, paying attention to mile markers can be helpful to finding your location and instructing the help you need.

How Would You Make Car Travel Safe During The Pandamic?

To protect yourself and slow the spread of COVID-19, whenever possible, you should avoid car trips with anyone outside your immediate household. When it can't be avoided, there are ways to reduce your potential exposure to the coronavirus. Not surprisingly, traveling by car can be risky. The confined space inside a a vehicle doesn't allow for proper social distancing, and the ventilation system is inadequate. Researchers have found that a viral load capable of infecting others can build up within a 15-minute drive and that respiratory droplets can remain for up to three hours. Roll down the windows The simplest solution is to roll down all the windows. This is not always an option in bad weather. The researchers also observed how the air moves through the cabin of a moving vehicle when various windows are open or closed and, more important, how that airflow may affect passengers’ exposure to virus-laden droplets.The best option is to open the window directly behind the driver and the front passenger's-side window. In that configuration the counterclockwise airflow separates the driver and passenger, limiting your chance for droplets to move between them. Car-Lotta reminds you to be safe!!

Do You Know What To Do If You Break Down?

The decisions you make if your vehicle breaksdown are important and can have positive or negative consequences. Fortunately, most problems are preventable. If your vehicle does break down: Pull off the road as far away from traffic as possible. Remain with your vehicle. If you get out of your vehicle, watch carefully for traffic. Never stand behind or directly in front of your vehicle. If you CANNOT pull off the road switch on safety/emergency flashers. If you could get struck from behind, do not stay in the vehicle. Make sure your car is visible to other motorists; turn on emergency flashers, raise the hood, tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or hold it in place with a closed window, place flares or warning triangles to direct cars around your vehicle. If you smell fuel or see a fuel leak, do NOT light flare and extinguish any lit cigarette. Car-Lotta reminds you to read your owner's manual to clearly understand which dash lights or signals indicate your vehicle is not operating properly and what to do in such situations. Before a road trip, arrange for a free test of your vehicle's battery, starting, and charging system. This can help determine how much life is left in your battery and if any other components need repairs.