Getting Your Car Serviced During the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is still prevalent around the country. The CDC guidelines say the best way to stay safe from the virus is to stay home. However, there are times when we need to leave our house to go to the grocery, the bank, and yes, to get our car serviced.
Getting your car serviced will keep your vehicle in good condition so it can last a long time. Putting off a regular oil change or major repair is a gamble you should not take even during this time.
Auto service and repair centers are considered essential during the pandemic. You just need to take precautions to keep yourself and others safe.
- Call the auto service station to schedule a service appointment. Find out how long it would take to get the job done. Ask about precautions they are taking to keep their customers and their own personnel safe from coronavirus. Many service stations space service appointments apart, so customers don’t wait around their lobby or waiting room.
- The best way to keep safe is to avoid waiting inside the station until the service is completed. It is especially not advisable if your car is in need of major repairs which could take several hours to complete. If possible, drop your car off at the station and have a member from your “household bubble” pick you up after you drop off your car and give you a ride back when it is time to pick up your car.
- Put on a face covering or mask when you walk into the office to let them know you have arrived for your service appointment and when speaking to the auto technician. The auto technician should also be wearing a mask.
- If you have to wait for your car, try to keep a safe distance from other customers, or wait outside if you can, since there is a lower chance of the virus spreading outside than indoors. The service station or car dealership will likely have seats or markers in place to keep customers distanced from each other. Nevertheless, keep your mask on and keep social distancing in mind if you have to wait inside.
- Even if the auto technican disinfects your car after it is serviced, you should sanitize your hands and spray the inside of your car with disinfectant before entering it. Then carefully wipe all touch points with disinfectant wipes, including the door handles, the steering wheel, the gear shift, seatbelt, window controls, console and dashboard.
When you arrive home, wash your hands. Health experts advise washing your face, as well, after being out in public, since the virus spreads through the air and can enter your nose, eyes, ears and mouth.
When in the market for a used car, stop by Carousel Preowned. Carousel Preowned serving Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, North Liberty, Marion, and Coralville, IA, is proud to be an automotive leader in our community. We do our best to ensure your complete satisfaction every time you step into our car dealership. This is why we offer the widest selection of used and pre-owned cars, trucks, and SUVs and provide true ease of purchase in Iowa.