You're taking a long vacation overseas, and there are so many things to think about; bags to pack, flight arrangements, travel insurance - but what about the car?
When your car is being driven around, the oil is circulating through the engine, the tyres are rotating and the battery is constantly being charged. But when left sitting idle for extensive periods, various components can actually suffer wear because of lack of activity.
It's a little bit like people and exercise; if you were to stop moving around, your joints will tend to stiffen up, your muscles weaken and your overall fitness is reduced.
So when you next leave your car idle for a prolonged period of time, there are a few things to consider.
Tyres should be well inflated. If your car is left resting on deflated tyres for too long, cracks can develop in the sidewalls. The tyres might also develop flat spots, which can put them permanently out of shape.
You might have heard people suggest that you should also disconnect the battery. This is fine for older model vehicles that do not have electronic components. However, if your vehicle is newer with electronic components, and the battery is disconnected, various electronic components will lose their memory. On late model vehicles, it's probably better to leave the battery connected, making sure it is fully charged.
Asking a friend to give your car an occasional run, perhaps once a month, will help keep the battery charged and ensure that the mechanical components and their seals remain lubricated.
Make sure that all fluids are at their maximum levels. If there's a small leak, there'll at least be a better chance that some fluid will remain when you get back. However when you do return, check fluid levels before driving the car.
Don't assume that the coolant contains the right proportion of ethylene glycol and inhibitor; find out for sure. Ethylene glycol is important to stop the radiator freezing up, especially if the vehicle will be left sitting outside. An inhibitor is equally as important to protect against corrosion. Have the coolant checked each time the car is serviced at a TACC Accredited Automobile Repairer.
It's best not to leave the handbrake on; sometimes the brake linings can bond onto the drum. Instead, leave the car in park or in gear, and make sure you chock the wheels. The car should be left on a level piece of ground if possible.
Give your car a good wash and polish it with wax, which will help protect it against dust or, if left out in the open, rain and harsh sunlight. Also use a little lubricant around the hinges to stop them stiffening.
If you're leaving the car under cover, whether it be in the garage or under the car port, you might want to put a cover over it to keep the dust away. However, only use natural fibres, such as a cotton sheet. Synthetic materials can allow condensation to develop because the car can't breathe.
If you don't have a garage or car port and have no other choice but to leave the car outside, you can use a cover to protect the paintwork, but the cover must be waterproof.
The interior can be protected from sun damage by applying a leather or vinyl protectant, as well as placing some sort of covering, such as towels, over the dashboard and seats. Leaving a couple of windows open a tiny bit will allow the interior to breathe.
Make sure your car is securely locked, including all doors and the boot. A security device such as an electronic engine immobiliser is also advisable.
Ideally, your car is safest under lock and key in the garage. There are also a number of storage companies around where you can leave your car. You'll find some near the airport, while others might be closer to home. The Yellow Pages has a comprehensive list of these companies.