WHEN Covid-19 forced companies to send their employees home to work virtually, remote work had a big moment. A lot has changed over the past couple of years with many post-pandemic commutes consisting of a shuffle from the bed to the desk. As a result, the lockdowns have limited the use of vehicles.

Although vehicle traffic volumes are more or less back to normal with the reopening of economic activities, quite a number of people still find themselves looking out the window at their now seldom-used car. While not having to drive can save time and fuel money, letting the vehicle sit far too long can cause maintenance issues. Among them: dead batteries, clogged-up fuel lines, rusted brakes, dried-out and leaking seals, and even insect infestation. Any of these issues can make your car a lot less safe to operate.

Consumer Reports says there is a need to drive the car every week or two at a minimum. Getting your car up to operating temperature by driving it around will do a lot to prevent leaks and other problems.

Here's what car owners must do:

– Drive the car once a week. Start the car and drive it for 15 or 20 minutes to warm it up. This will help keep cooling, lubrication, and fuel system parts in shape, will charge the battery, and will prevent flat spots from forming on the tires. Use the brakes frequently to remove any rust that has formed on the brake rotors. Pick a day and stick to it. That way your car will not sit for too long.

– Check the tire pressure. Most factory maintenance guides recommend doing this once a week, as underinflated tires can negatively impact the car's handling and road safety. Experts say once a month will suffice. The key is to make checking your tire pressure a routine task.

– Check the fluids regularly. Make sure the oil, coolant, transmission fluid, and windshield washer fluid are topped off. Check under the car for leaks. Even if you are not driving the car much, oils and coolant still need to be changed periodically. Refer to your car's manufacturer-recommended change intervals.

– Check under-hood belts and hoses. Every month or so, take a peek under the hood and make sure the engine's accessory belt is free of cracks. Make sure hoses are not cracked or leaking.

– Use a battery tender. Depending upon where you park, you could hook up a battery tender — also known as a trickle charger — to keep your battery from running down. Car batteries are designed to remain "topped off," so letting the voltage run low can cause them to wear out more quickly. Make sure the tender you use is a "smart" device that automatically shuts off when the battery is fully charged. Overcharging a battery can damage it or cause a fire. Also make sure that it is compatible with the type of battery in your car, as some chargers will not work with certain batteries.

– Guard against insects and animals. Your car is at risk for infestation even if it is parked in a garage. Ticks and mites could populate the car seats. Small animals like kittens could go inside the engine compartment or wheel well. Make sure whatever you do will not inadvertently harm animals. A regular but quick once-over with the car vacuum could halt any insect infestation.