FIND A STORE Shop Tires Book Service Deals 0 Cart CAR CARE WHEN YOUR CAR SITS Quarantine Car Care Checklist Did you know that sitting idle for an extended amount of time can cause damage to your vehicle? You might have it parked most of the time while you're at home, but soon you'll need it to get where you need to go. These quick tips will help make sure it's ready to roll when you are. Drive your car at least once every two weeks. Tires that sit can develop flat spots over time. Examine your tires in profile for any signs of visible flattening. Also take note of any areas of the tread that look bald: both are common signs of a developing flat spot. Before you go: Chalk any flat spot, or surface of the tire that rests against the pavement. Don’t have chalk? Try a light-colored crayon. Lift wipers fully off the windshield before using. Rubber likes to stick; disengage the wiper from the glass and help prevent premature wear and tear. When you park, check the chalk mark to make sure the tires are resting on another side. If you can’t drive at all, start your car and let it run for at least 5 minutes. In addition to adding fresh charge back to your battery, it also circulates the fluids, keeping engine systems lubricated and functioning. If something sounds or feels off during your drive, stop by. We offer Curbside Service and Stay-In-Car Services* while we practice social distancing. Fill your tank, to prevent moisture from accumulating inside the fuel tank and keep the seals from drying out. Add a fuel stabilizer, to help prevent impurities in the fuel from breaking down and clogging up your engine. One treatment can last up to 12 months. Use a fuel injection cleaner before you refill your tank, to clear away any build up that collected while it sat. Adding it to an empty tank and then filling with fresh fuel provides the most effective mixture. Use the right cleaner on the right surfaces. Use your windshield wipers with washer fluid. They’re made of rubber and can deteriorate quickly in the sun when not used. The fluid provides lubrication and a visual marker to determine their effectiveness. Use vinegar and water for glass surfaces and wipers. Products containing ammonia can act as a solvent and can ruin some paints and finishes, so try a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and water instead. Use soap and water to clean most surfaces, including your dashboard, floor mats, drink holders and even tire side walls. Avoid parking in the sun. Direct sun over time can cause paint to fade, rubber to degrade, head lights to get a milky haze that reduces their luminosity at night, interiors and convertible covers to crack or fade, truck bed liners to lose flexibility and become brittle and can even reduce the quality of the rubber in your tires. Park in a garage or under a car port when you can. No garage available? Search for shady areas like alleys and service lanes, but be sure to check local ordinances about parking on the street in your community first. Can’t find a shady spot? Consider a car cover if your car would otherwise remain in direct sun for long periods of time. Stay on top of these simple car maintenance tasks to keep your car in good shape and standing by, ready for action. Clean Car - Covid-19 Safety Clean Car - Car Seat Edition Hidden Spots We Skip Sun Exposure DEALS & DISCOUNTS Get special offers and extra savings emailed right to you! Fill in the following fields to sign up and get emails for special offers and savings. Email Address zipcode SIGN UP About Us Careers Contact Us Fleet Services Savings Military and First Responders Discount Lease Return Program Store Locator Site Map Copyright 2021 NTB. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Accessibility About Our Ads Website Terms of Use DO NOT SELL MY INFO Facebook Twitter Youtube Feedback This site uses cookies and other technologies to review usage and analyze traffic, personalize content and ads, provide social media features, and operate and improve our sites. By clicking “Accept” or the “X”, you consent to the use of these technologies as further described and explained in our Privacy Policy. You can manage your preferences by clicking Cookie Settings. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies