Get Back on the Road! 回到路上去！

Get Back on the Road!

As if damp and chilly conditions were not hard enough on your car, infrequent use makes things worse. Therefore, Rob Marshall goes back-to-basics and investigates areas that demand a little extra attention.

• Car      Mechanics (UK)

• 1      Apr 2022

Do not ignore cabin/pollen filters, if the car has been standing. Trapped residue within the pleats can rot and, on some models, the filter might become damp due to blocked drain holes. While replacement is required at least once annually, you may wish to change the filter, before using the car on a long trip. C1

As if damp and chilly conditions were not hard enough on your car, infrequent use makes things worse. Therefore, we go back-to-basics and investigate areas that demand a little extra attention.

Winter has never been especially kind to motorcars. Yet, the consequences of COVID-19 have made the past few years even tougher. Whether enforced by freedom of movement restrictions, flexible home working, cutting out the commute, or people just not wanting to travel, many vehicles have covered fewer miles but spread across more trips. Perversely, these apparently gentler conditions are tougher on many mechanical components, compared with longer and less frequent journeys.

Now that the weather is becoming more hospitable for outdoor DIY car maintenance, CM has liaised with garages, parts suppliers and manufacturers to establish how cars are fairing. While we do not intend to cover general servicing and pre-mot checks, there will be some cross-over. For this reason, follow your car’s service schedule closely, paying extra attention to the following items.