With mandatory lockdowns and shelter-at-home orders, vehicles are being used less and less, and that could result in serious and costly repairs.

As strange as it may sound, not using your vehicle can be more damaging than normal daily wear and tear.

Read below to learn about the problems you could encounter, then bring your vehicle to Honda of Gainesville where our factory-certified experts will ensure that all systems are working properly.

Idled Vehicles

• Dead Battery - How long the battery lasts without being used depends on many factors, but on average, a battery that hasn’t been used for 3 weeks will most likely die. This will affect the vehicle’s computer, electrical system and is a more serious problem than just buying a new battery.
• Flat Tires - The portion of the tire that sits on the ground can suffer what is called a Flat Spot, which basically means your tires are no longer round. And it will take a lot of driving around to get rid of it (up to 200 miles). Plus, the Flat Spot makes the tire more vulnerable. This also will result in the tires vibrating, loss of performance and safety concerns.
• Stagnant Oil - Oil that has been sitting in the engine for a stretch of time will bleed back into the oil pan and damage the seals. The engine components also need to be engaged regularly or they too will be affected. Belts and hoses can crack and break, among other deteriorations.
• Rusty Brakes - Given Florida’s humid weather, brakes rust very quickly. However, during your daily drive, friction “scrapes” the rust off. If they’re not being used, your brakes will rust; thus, exposing yourself to brake failure.

What Can I Do?

• Multi-Point Inspection - Bring your vehicle to Honda of Gainesville or schedule your appointment online and we’ll pick it up and deliver it to your home.
• Start Your Car - You should start your car at the very least every other day; daily works best.
• Drive - Take a drive, even if it’s a couple of times around the block. Most experts say you should drive your car a couple of miles about 2 to 3 times a week.

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