Serious charge - every car will need one

[Sotosound]

To be honest, I want my Mummy.

[PRainbow]

That was going so well until that last post!

[Sotosound]

Sorry about that.

This is a frightening time right now for a lot of people, including many friends and family.

The disease has now been caught by the 20 year-old son of some friends of ours who live in Bedfordshire, so they've all had to get home and go into self-isolation. He probably caught it in the gym.

This means that it's out there beyond London hospitals or the occasional movie star or politician, and that makes it far more real than surreal.

So, I'll drive my wife's car up and down the dual carriageway tomorrow morning to get it more fettled, and I'll enjoy the early morning sunshine before returning home for work. (Sounds weird, that!)

[360beast]

Brake discs will not corrode to nothing in 3 months!!!

My current daily was sat outside for over 18 months and I'd just fitted brand new brembo discs and pads to the front when laid it up. After the first drive the rust was all but gone from them, so you really have nothing to worry about.

My 940 has been laid up since December, I moved it off the drive today and reversed on to the path, the rust was all gone just from that 10 metre journey.

I have a 360 stored in the garage that hasn't been on the road in 7 years and the discs are fine.

[Laird Scooby]

What Luke said ^^^^^

If you do lay your car up for a few weeks, first time you use it afterwards, drive with the footbrake lightly applied for the first half mile or so to take off the surface rust from the discs. You'll hear when they're clean.

[inchindown]

There doesn't appear to be anything in the lockdown rules that prohibit you from driving your car. Although there may be additional risks of contact with other people if you have an accident or need to fill the tank.

If you do have to fill your tank, you can use the free gloves provided by most garages and if you're not making a contactless payment you can keep the gloves on while you use the keypad.

It's also worth noting that going out to the shops for essential food and other household goods is still allowed. So there may be an opportunity there to let your car breathe.

[Dastardly Diesel]

You can only drive your car if going to work (where it is not possible to work from home), going to buy essential supplies, or going to help a vulnerable person.

For many of us that means a vast reduction in car usage. Someone with an ageing battery who is now working from home may indeed fi d that a week parked up is enough to finally cause the battery to expire.

[biggbn]

My Mrs old BMW sat unused for three months over Christmas, outside, uncovered. Started first turn. Always does.

[GMcL]

Exactly, these cars are not as fragile as people seem to think.

For the last three years my 2011 S60 D3 has sat for 9 months out of the year not turning a wheel. I put it on charge maybe twice in the year, once when I know I will start using it through the winter and the second time if/when I remember.

I take it easy the first few trips to make sure nothing has come adrift then use it like any other car.

[green van man]

Having 2 cars the volvo is reserved for longer trips so often sits for months at a time without turning a wheel. Only time it failed to start was when I left the sidelights on and then 30 min on the battery charger got it going.
Car is now 11 years old and unless it had a new battery in its first 4 years it's the original.
As for the disks, I live on the coast, disks rust within a week of stopping and there is often a clunk from the back as the pads free with the EPB, within the first mile they are clear and working normally.

I would worry about it when it happens and it probably will not.

Paul.