If you own a car that you don’t drive very often but still want to keep in good condition, this article is for you!

Whether it’s your only vehicle or one you drive seasonally, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help you take care of it.

Check the Battery

The battery is the beating heart of your car—it’s what keeps it running! Therefore, make sure you take your car out for a spin every couple of weeks to keep the battery charged.

If your car is parked far away from your home, get a smart charger to keep the battery fully charged. Moreover, if your car is parked in a warehouse, remove the battery and store it in a cool, dry place over the winter.

Keep It Ventilated

Before leaving your car idle for several weeks or months, take a moment to ventilate the interior and get rid of any excess moisture. You can do this by:

• Occasionally opening the doors for a few minutes to let it air out. Make sure to do this if your car will be parked indoors over the winter.
• Leaving all the vents open, even if your car is parked in a garage.
• Keeping your windows cracked. This should only be done if your car is being stored in a well-insulated area that’s sheltered from the elements.

Just to be safe, the last two points are only for cars being stored in secure buildings!

Alternate Vehicles

If you have one vehicle that tends to get driven more than the other, make sure you periodically alternate vehicles. In other words, even if one car is less enjoyable to drive, it’s a good idea to occasionally take it out for a spin to prevent it from wearing out.

Stay On Top of Regular Maintenance

On top of mechanical maintenance, your car needs to be kept clean. When you don’t drive your vehicle regularly, everyday maintenance can fall to the wayside. For example, it can get dusty or filled with garbage.

Therefore, make sure you regularly:

• Pick up any garbage and clean out the small trash bin
• Shake out the floor mats and other removable accessories
• Vacuum the entire cab, including the seats
• Wipe down all plastic and wood surfaces with a cloth

Wash the Outside

If your car spends most of its time in storage, it’s a good idea to give it a good wash after every trip, especially if you’ve been driving in dirty conditions.

We recommend frequently wiping down the outside to remove dust and debris.

If your car only gets used every once in a blue moon, consider taking a trip to the car wash to restore its lustre. The high-quality detergents and waxes will keep the outside of your car looking new.

In fact, regularly taking your vehicle to the car wash is a good habit—whether it’s driven every day or not.

Use High-Quality Cleaning Products

Lastly, even if your car doesn’t get out and about very often, you should make a point of cleaning the inside with high-quality products.

Once you’ve vacuumed the interior and gotten rid of any food wrappers and junk, you’re ready for the final step!

Use cleaning wipes to remove dirt and grime and purchase an air freshener to keep your car smelling good. We recommend repeating this step when you take your car out of storage.

All cars deserve a little TLC! Now you know what to do to keep yours looking its best.