Car inactivity

If the car is to be left inactive for longer than a month, the following precautions should be noted:

❒ park the car in covered, dry and if possible wellventilated premises;
❒ engage a gear;
❒ check that the handbrake is not engaged;
❒ disconnect battery terminals (first disconnect the negative terminal) and check the battery charge. This check is to be repeated every three months. Recharge if the optical indicator shows a dark colour without the central green area;
❒ clean and protect the painted parts using protective wax;
❒ clean and protect the shiny metal parts using special compounds readily available;
❒ sprinkle talcum powder on the rubber windscreen and rear window wiper blades and lift them off the glass;
❒ slightly open the windows;
❒ cover the car with a cloth or perforated plastic sheet. Do not use sheets of non-perforated plastic as they do not allow moisture on the car body to evaporate;
❒ inflate tyres to +0.5 bar above the normal specified pressure and check it at intervals;
❒ if you don’t disconnect the battery from the electric system, check its charge every month and recharge it if the optical indicator shows a dark colour without the central green area;
❒ do not drain the engine cooling system.

    See also:

    25. Temperature Gauge
    The temperature digital scale shows engine coolant temperature. Any reading within the normal range indicates that the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily. The gauge pointer will lik ...

    Checking the charge
    The battery charge may be checked through the indicator (where fitted) set on the battery cover and acting according to the colour the indicator shows. If the battery is not fitted with electrol ...

    Trip Button
    The TRIP button, located on the right steering column stalk, can be used to display and to reset the previously described values. • A short button press displays the different values. • A long but ...