Dairyland Peach , October 2 , 2022 Page 22

Driving puts a certain measure of wear and tear on a vehicle . Whether a vehicle is used primarily for commuting or as a vessel to take travelers to parts unknown , wear and tear is inevitable .

On the opposite end of the spectrum , individuals may not realize that failing to drive their vehicles regularly also can affect performance . Here ’ s a closer look at what can happen when vehicles sit idle for lengthy periods of time .

Battery loses its charge . The battery in a vehicle is still being used even if the car isn ’ t running . Batteries power various components in a car , such as the vehicle computer , phone chargers and more . If the engine does not turn over and help to recharge the battery , the battery will eventually die . People who drive infrequently may want to consider a trickle charger that ’ s plugged in during periods of non-use .

Tire rot can set in . Dry tire rot is deterioration that sets into the rubber . The material dries out and becomes brittle , causing splits and cracks to form . Driving with tire rot can cause tires to deflate .

Rust and corrosion can occur . There is still plenty of metal in modern vehicles . A vehicle that has been exposed to salt or rain or one that is stored in a moist climate can be susceptible to undercarriage or engine rust . This may cause damage that ’ s not easily repaired .

Damage from sap or droppings . A vehicle parked in one location for a long time could be a target for bird droppings , fallen berries , sap , and other substances that are potentially harmful to the paint job . Leaving the car or truck out in the sun also means UV rays can cause clear coat over the paint to oxidize and begin to fail , which can produce blotchy or peeling spots .

Poor brake performance . When vehicles are left to sit , corrosion could build up on the rotors and the brake pads may become less flexible . Moisture also may seep into brake lines , causing issues with pressurization of brake fluid . Each of these factors adds up to brakes that do not

work properly — which is a big safety hazard .

Formation of tire flat spots . When tires are not used frequently , the weight of the car can continually put pressure on the same parts of the tires , leading to flat spots . Tires also can lose pressure if they sit too long .

Oil and other fluids may lose efficacy . Various fluids can go stale in a vehicle if it isn ’ t regularly driven . Gasoline also may develop condensation , which can reduce efficiency and performance . Taking short trips helps avoid this issue .

Infrequent driving can cause damage to a car or truck . But many potential issues can be avoided by driving vehicles more often .

Letting a vehicle sit idle for a long period of time can affect its performance .

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Alexandria , MN 320-763-3203

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Eligible tires : Purchase Destination or Firehawk tires to be eligible for the $ 80 reward . Purchase WeatherGrip tires to be eligible for the $ 60 reward . Limit 2 per household . Participating U . S . stores only . Claim submission required . Certain restrictions apply . Void where prohibited . See FirestoneRewards . com for details . Prepaid Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank , Member FDIC , pursuant to a license from Visa U . S . A . Inc . and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted . Prepaid Cards are issued in connection with a reward . Prepaid Card terms , conditions and expirations apply . All trademarks and brand names belong to their respective owners . * Receive the $ 110 Prepaid Card when you make a qualifying Destination or Firehawk tire purchase with any eligible CFNA credit card account . Receive a $ 90 Prepaid Card when you make a qualifying WeatherGrip tire purchase with any eligible CFNA credit card account . The card number must be provided at time of submission . Prepaid Card cannot be used to pay any CFNA credit card balance . CFNA credit card subject to credit approval . Funding for this promotion is provided by the credit division of Bridgestone Retail Operations , LLC . The Bancorp Bank is not affiliated in any way and does not endorse or sponsor this credit card offer . © 2022 Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations , LLC . All rights reserved . 1 Conditions apply . See FirestoneTire . com / warranty for details .

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