Javier Sendín, Spain's best mechanic of 2023: "Leaving your car parked for long periods of time can be detrimental to components such as the suspension or battery, even risking irreversible damage."

Parking is a maneuver we're all forced to perform every time we get in the car. According to the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE), parking means "stopping the motor vehicle and temporarily placing it in a public or private place." Although on paper this is a simple action, in practice it involves a series of decisions that can affect various components of the car.

Depending on how and where we park our car, we can test the durability of the steering, suspension, or tires . Therefore, the routine act of leaving your car parked requires more than just attention, as some seemingly harmless actions can cause premature wear. Javier Sendín, from the Cardiocar workshop in Salamanca and chosen as the best mechanic in Spain in 2023 , gives us a series of tips to preserve the health of your vehicle and avoid hidden problems when parking.

First of all, Sendín warns, avoid leaving the car in gear without engaging the handbrake , even on flat surfaces, as this can put stress on the gearbox and cause unexpected shifting. The mechanic adds that in vehicles with manual transmissions, "this doesn't always guarantee complete immobility of the car," and in automatic vehicles, "the entire weight falls on the 'P' position lock , which can cause wear or damage if the vehicle moves even slightly." "Therefore, the handbrake is always essential," he adds.

Regarding wheel spins , Sendín warns that, in principle, "it doesn't cause direct damage, since both the steering and suspension are designed to support the vehicle's weight even with the wheels turned and the engine off." However, he warns that leaving the steering wheel turned can increase the risk of another vehicle grazing or hitting the protruding tire, especially on narrow or busy streets . "That impact could damage components such as the steering, suspension, or even the chassis."

Regarding curbs , it's also not a good idea to drive over them, as it can cause internal deformations—known as 'balling'—or cuts in the sidewalls that can eventually lead to blowouts. "Worse of all, this type of maneuver can affect suspension components or cause misalignment, even if it's not immediately noticeable."

Sendín reminds us that leaving the car stationary for weeks or months can cause problems. “Although it may not seem like it, this can be detrimental. Components such as the suspension are affected, as silent blocks and other rubber parts tend to dry out or deform after remaining in the same position for weeks or months. It's also very negative for the battery, both in internal combustion vehicles and, especially, in hybrid and electric vehicles.”

Spain's best mechanic of 2023 explains that in electric vehicles, "both the service battery (12 V) and the high-voltage battery can be completely discharged." If the charge falls below the minimum values ​​established by the manufacturer, "there is a risk of irreversible damage."

Using the handbrake isn't always safe, especially when the vehicle is exposed to extreme humidity, after a wash , or after demanding driving. Sendín warns that, in these cases, a thin layer of rust forms on the surface of the disc or drum, "which can cause the pads or shoes to temporarily stick." When the brake cools after use, there is a risk of temporary locking, which can make starting difficult.

Regarding parking on side slopes, Sendín clarifies that, although it doesn't cause noticeable wear on the suspension or shock absorbers, these systems are designed to withstand load variations in all types of dynamic situations, which are much more demanding than parking on an incline. However, in principle, it shouldn't be a cause for concern, according to this professional. "Unless the vehicle is exposed for years to the same position and steep inclines, there's no reason to worry about premature wear."