--- title: Four Ways to Maintain Your Fleet Vehicles When They’re Not In Use description: A parked vehicle still needs to be maintained. Read four easy strategies for keeping your fleet vehicles ready to go. image: https://blog.fossnational.com/hubfs/car-1902828_1920.jpg --- - Login & Support - [Driver login](https://driverportal.fossnational.com/(S(j3l4ffvs10c4pg5kst3wihvl))/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f) - [Fleet manager login](https://fossfleet.com/portal/#login) - [Support](https://dev-foss-national-leasing.pantheonsite.io/en/support) - [Vendor Support](https://dev-foss-national-leasing.pantheonsite.io/en/vendor) [Fuel & Maintenance Locator](https://www.fossnational.com/en/fleet-maintenance-vendors) [Search](https://blog.fossnational.com/hs-search-results?hsLang=en) [![FNL-Logo](https://blog.fossnational.com/hubfs/Foss%20Blog%20Template/Images/FNL-Logo.svg "FNL-Logo")](https://www.fossnational.com/) - Lease Your Vehicle - [Business Leasing](https://www.fossnational.com/en/business) Choose from open-end or closed-end lease offers—greater flexibility, fewer restrictions, and real benefits for businesses. - [Short term vehicle leasing](https://www.fossnational.com/en/short) Lease a vehicle for 1-24 months with no early termination fees or end-of-contract settlements. - [Zero emission vehicles](https://www.fossnational.com/en/zeroemission) Consider switching to zero-emissions vehicles to reduce your organization's greenhouse gas emissions. - Manage your vehicles - [Fleet Cards](https://www.fossnational.com/en/fleet-cards-canada) Consolidate all your monthly fuel and maintenance purchases with Canada's number one fleet card. - [Remarketing](https://www.fossnational.com/en/remarketing) Maximize your profits from selling used vehicles with our expert support. - [Telematics](https://www.fossnational.com/en/telematics) Monitor real-time drivers' behaviour with our telematics solution, developed in partnership with GEOTAB. - [Safety and risk management](https://www.fossnational.com/en/safety) Protect your drivers and vehicles by managing your fleet's operational risks with a holistic fleet safety program. - [More ways to manage your fleet](https://www.fossnational.com/en/more) Explore worry-free packages that include upfitting, vehicle storage, licensing and title management, and many more. - Resources - [Fuel and maintenance network](https://www.fossnational.com/en/network-search) Access service and repairs through our nationwide network of vendors. - [White papers](https://www.fossnational.com/en/resources-listing) Blogs and white papers developed to help you better manage your fleet and drivers. - [Zero-emissions](https://www.fossnational.com/en/zeroemission) Best practices for reducing your organization's greenhouse gas emissions. - [Case studies](https://www.fossnational.com/en/resources-listing?page=0&category=Case) Learn how we helped other companies improve their fleet operations. - [Articles](https://blog.fossnational.com/) Uncover industry insights, expert advice, and the latest trends in fleet management, vehicle leasing, and mobility solutions. 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However, it’s not actually the case. Vehicles not in use don’t require extensive maintenance, but they must be [maintained](https://www.fossnational.com/fuel-maintenance-solutions) nonetheless.  In this blog we’ll go through some simple ways to keep your fleet vehicles ready for when business picks up again.  [![Download our guide for details on how a fleet card allows you to closely track and reduce your fuel and maintenance costs> >](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6014256/3fc40aeb-ce0e-4f5d-850b-158fc3b511a4.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6014256/3fc40aeb-ce0e-4f5d-850b-158fc3b511a4) ## Remove Rust From Your Brakes ![car-1902828_1920](https://blog.fossnational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/car-1902828_1920.jpg?width=576&name=car-1902828_1920.jpg) After several days of not driving at all, a thin layer of rust begins to form on the surface of a vehicle’s brake rotors. This is especially likely to happen when it rains. You can verify this yourself by looking through the wheels at your rotors.  The way to solve this rust build-up is to arrange a way to take each vehicle out for a short drive. If a driver has their vehicle at home, remind them to take it for a drive around their neighbourhood once a week. If the vehicles are parked, have someone at the office do it for a handful of vehicles each day.  When you start driving, you may hear a distinct grinding sound as the brake pads scrape the rust off. The sound will stop after a few kilometers, once the rust is cleared. And that’s it. Once the sound stops, you can take the vehicle back and look at the rotors, which should be shiny again.  If the sound persists after 10 kilometres of stop-and-start driving, and you notice that braking isn’t working the way it normally would, then a trip to the auto repair shop may be necessary.  ## Protect Your Battery by Starting Your Car ![K3_-C8YjJcy8FfOy_zSdGGg9e-zWdZJpnQy2ljKGFq6Ase4DJZyGDCUdzlgTAY6lp9izakMJTYYw8wHjFloGSTyZGx_XdcEyklKBZkD8RzIHO-ZfckKcyqOcuw0GEW-IjZilHox_](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/K3_-C8YjJcy8FfOy_zSdGGg9e-zWdZJpnQy2ljKGFq6Ase4DJZyGDCUdzlgTAY6lp9izakMJTYYw8wHjFloGSTyZGx_XdcEyklKBZkD8RzIHO-ZfckKcyqOcuw0GEW-IjZilHox_)Another thing to consider is maintaining the health of your vehicles’ batteries. It’s a good idea to let each vehicle run for a few minutes every few days.  More importantly, starting the engine also allows it to be sprayed with oil. When you shut the engine off, this oil slowly goes from the top of the engine to the pan at the bottom leaving some components dry after sitting for long periods.  By starting the car, you’re soaking those parts in oil, making the next start less harsh. It also runs the fuel pump, keeping fresh pressurized fuel in the fuel lines.  Starting your vehicles also allows you to check the health of the batteries, so you’ll know if they’re ready to drive in case of emergency or when business picks up again. Putting them in gear and back in park engages and disengages the brake calipers and drum shoes.  ## Fill Your Gas Tank ![petrol-996617_1920](https://blog.fossnational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/petrol-996617_1920.jpg?width=526&name=petrol-996617_1920.jpg) Filling up each vehicle’s gas tank prevents moisture from building up in the tank. Moisture in the tank increases the odds that: - Your vehicle will stall - The overall mileage will be reduced - Acceleration will be decreased - The vehicle’s engine won’t start All of this can be avoided by simply topping up the fuel in the tank. And of course, remember to continue Covid-19 hand washing protocols after [filling the tank and touching the payment pinpad](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/drive/mobility/article-as-covid-19-spreads-how-safe-is-it-to-pump-gas-right-now/). You could also use disinfecting wipes to clean the pump and pinpad before touching them. ## Inflate Your Tires ![flat-2339687_1920](https://blog.fossnational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/flat-2339687_1920.jpg?width=572&name=flat-2339687_1920.jpg) This is especially important for fleets in areas with volatile weather and temperature (aka most of Canada). Temperature changes affect tire pressure, and a vehicle left sitting will slowly lose its tire pressure over time.  This great two-minute video shows you how to check your tire pressure and prevent overinflation when you go to fill them up: ## A Happy Fleet is a Maintained Fleet Keeping unused vehicles maintained doesn’t require a lot of effort: inflating tires, filling up the gas tank and short drives around the block is all you need to do. Setting aside a half hour each week or two is more than enough to ensure that no unexpected hiccups occur when these vehicles are put back into use.  [Previous Post](https://blog.fossnational.com/disaster-fleet-management?hsLang=en) [View all posts](https://blog.fossnational.com) [Next Post](https://blog.fossnational.com/foss-fleet-management?hsLang=en) ### Get to Know the Author Dave is a highly motivated, innovative and results-oriented sales executive. He is passionate about coaching and sustaining high-performance teams that enhance the customer experience and achieve business objectives. He knows the fleet business from the ground up with over two decades of fleet management experience. He has held several senior management roles overseeing new business development, customer satisfaction, account management and operations. Dave maintains a keen aptitude for continually assessing and adapting to the needs of clients. [Meet our team](https://www.fossnational.com/our-team) ![](https://blog.fossnational.com/hubfs/David%20250x250.jpg) ### Get the latest fleet management news ![thumbnail-control-fuel-and-maintenance](https://blog.fossnational.com/hubfs/Premium-Content/PCO%20Thumbnails/thumbnail-control-fuel-and-maintenance.png "thumbnail-control-fuel-and-maintenance") ## Control Your Fuel and Maintenance Costs Discover how a fleet card allows you to closely track and reduce your fuel and maintenance costs, while spending less time on administration. [![Download Guide](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6014256/64ecc2e5-e7e2-4a7b-8030-e9f2b060966b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6014256/64ecc2e5-e7e2-4a7b-8030-e9f2b060966b) ### Recommended Reading [Maintain My Fleet](https://blog.fossnational.com/topic/maintain-my-fleet?hsLang=en) ##### [Fleet Vehicles Maintenance Checklist for Summer Time](https://blog.fossnational.com/summer-fleet-checklist?hsLang=en) By [Dominic Riolo](https://blog.fossnational.com/author/dominic-riolo) / June 17, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.fossnational.com/summer-fleet-checklist?hsLang=en) [Maintain My Fleet](https://blog.fossnational.com/topic/maintain-my-fleet?hsLang=en) ##### [Preventive Maintenance Program For Fleets: How To Save Thousands Following 4 Simple Steps](https://blog.fossnational.com/preventive-maintenance-program?hsLang=en) By [Steve Aguzzi](https://blog.fossnational.com/author/steve-aguzzi) / June 3, 2024 [Continue Reading](https://blog.fossnational.com/preventive-maintenance-program?hsLang=en) [Maintain My Fleet](https://blog.fossnational.com/topic/maintain-my-fleet?hsLang=en) ##### [What You Need to Know About Fleet Maintenance With Foss National](https://blog.fossnational.com/fleet-maintenance-foss-national?hsLang=en) By [Rick Monck](https://blog.fossnational.com/author/rick-monck) / June 13, 2022 [Continue Reading](https://blog.fossnational.com/fleet-maintenance-foss-national?hsLang=en) ### Subscribe and stay up to date ### Subscribe Here! 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