By Tony Arranaga for TFPR & Marketing

Whether you’re facing temporary unemployment or leaving on an extended summer vacation, consumers in the Valley are being warned about a potentially hefty repair bill once you return to your parked car and put the keys in the ignition.

A local automotive consumer advocate says leaving your car a week or two is not that big of a deal, however letting a month or two go by without use and that’s when you want to take certain things into consideration.

Cary Lockwood, founder of Your Auto Network, is a senior engineering technician who spent years testing cars at GM’s Proving Ground in Mesa, Arizona. Lockwood says taking a few simple precautions before parking the car for an extended period of time could save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars down the line.

USE A GAS ADDITIVE

Believe it or not, gas goes bad. Whether it’s regular unleaded or super unleaded, gas will lose some of its properties over time. This is why Lockwood advises using a product called STA-BIL (about $14 on Amazon.com) – an additive that helps preserve the fuel in your tank. Leaving your car (and gas) to sit without the additive could do damage to your engine at first start up. “I’ve heard people going awhile without using the additive,” says Lockwood. “But do you really want to roll the dice?”

Lockwood also says you shouldn’t park your car with an empty tank. The best practice is to leave plenty of gas in the tank. When you get back behind the wheel, drive the car around for a bit, and then top off the tank to inject some fresh gas into your vehicle. Lockwood also advises going easy your first time out with a cold engine.

THE OTHER POWER SUPPLY

Lockwood says some cars may have battery problems after a long vacation. “Newer cars (1981 and newer) have battery draw problem because of onboard controllers that maintain a slight draw on the battery,” says Lockwood. A suggestion here is to disconnect the battery, or maybe invest in a battery tender which is a device that connects to an outlet on one end, and clamps to your car’s battery on the other. A word of caution here: if you do not know what you’re doing, have someone help you! Obviously the voltage can be dangerous if not deadly.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE OIL AND FILTER

Lockwood says it’s a good idea to change both oil and filter before you go on an extended vacation. You may even consider switching to a synthetic oil if you’re not using one already. Bottom line, synthetic oil lasts longer and flows better. The lube may cost a bit more, but Lockwood says it will help your fuel economy and let you go longer between oil changes.

THE FLAT SPOT

Tires that sit for any length of time can get a flat spot. Basically, this is the spot where your tires rest on the pavement. Lockwood says this flat spot may go away with a heat cycle – or driving your car around for a bit. Prevent the flat spot by checking your tire pressure and filling your tires with air if needed. An extreme remedy would be to rest your car on jacks while you’re gone.

WHILE THE CAT’S AWAY…

Mice like to play in the engine compartment of parked cars. Lockwood says for some reason, mice are attracted to the bright colors of some of the wiring. If you can, try parking your car in a garage. Not only will this help prevent any mouse malfunctions, it will also protect your car against the elements.

Taking these simple precautions before parking your car for an extended period of time could help save you money in repair bills in the long run.