Why standing still is bad for cars
Car idling is generally a bad thing. Regular driving of vehicles is therefore crucial to prevent problems with, among other things, the battery and brakes. If you do not use a car for too long, certain parts may be broken and the car may no longer work optimally. In this blog we discuss the consequences of long-term car inactivity and share tips to ensure that your car is always ready to hit the road.
Consequences of Prolonged Downtime
A car is designed to move. If this is not done on a regular basis, problems can arise and parts can become damaged. Prolonged downtime can cause, among other things, the following:
- Battery problems: the battery can discharge or break down during prolonged standstill. This is because a battery also uses electricity when it is stationary and not only when it is being driven. A battery even charges while driving, because the alternator comes into operation.
- Problems with the tires: the tires may be damaged during prolonged standstill. In the summer it can happen that cracks appear in the tires, caused by drought and dehydration. But problems can also arise in winter. If the car is constantly stationary in the same place and is therefore loaded in the same places for a longer period of time, the lower part of the tire may flatten out, resulting in square tires. You can prevent this problem by increasing your tire pressure by approximately 0.5 bar more than prescribed. As soon as you start driving again, it is important that you return the tire pressure to the prescribed tire pressure.
- Liquids: it is important to check all fluids such as engine oil, coolant and other fluids regularly. If the car stands still for a long time, the engine oil is no longer fresh, while fresh oil is important for good car performance and parts wear out faster if the oil level is too low. To prevent problems with the engine, it is also important that you check the coolant before you start driving the car again.
- Problems with the brakes: there is a greater chance of stuck brakes the longer the car stands still. In the worst case, you can no longer move the car from its place. You can prevent problems with the brakes by putting the car in first gear instead of using the handbrake when the car is stationary for a longer period of time. This prevents rust from forming on the brake discs and your brakes continue to work optimally.
- Fuel problems: Fuel problems generally only occur after a number of months. If the car stands still for a long period of time, the fuel can age, making it more difficult for the engine to start. The only solution to this problem is to continue driving the car regularly, which also means that the fuel is regularly replaced.
Prevent downtime with Shortlease
If you need a car temporarily or if you only drive a car a lot during certain periods, short-term leasing is the perfect solution. With a short lease contract you are never tied to a long-term contract and you can determine in advance the number of months you think you will need the car. If you ultimately need the car for longer than the agreed term, you can simply continue to drive the car and the contract will continue. This is thanks to the flexibility of a short lease contract. In addition, our lease cars will never be stationary for a long time and the above problems will therefore not occur quickly. Furthermore, maintenance and repairs are included as standard in a short lease contract, so you never have to worry about additional costs. With a short lease you can conclude a contract for a shorter period and avoid downtime.
Conclusion
When it comes to cars, (prolonged) standstill usually does not mean anything good. A car is designed to be used regularly and can deteriorate or even fail after a certain period of inactivity. To prevent problems, it is important that you drive the car regularly. If this is not possible, it is wise to consider a short lease contract. This means you benefit from a contract with a flexible term and therefore prevent the vehicle from standing still for a longer period of time. Would you like to short-lease? Then check us out range of short-lease cars.
The advantages of Shortleaseland
- Delivery throughout the Netherlands
- No annual reports required
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