Page Text: Do I risk coronavirus exposure if I shop for a car?
Visiting a car dealership, negotiating financing in person, and test-driving a car could all expose a car shopper to the coronavirus. But many dealerships now follow CDC prevention guidelines to clean and disinfect their showrooms and cars, and many offer contactless services. CarGurus has launched a range of new search filters within our car listings that will make it easy for anyone to find dealerships offering safer shopping features like contactless delivery and remote test drives in their area.
Is it even possible to buy a car right now?
Yes, it’s possible to buy a car during the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis, and in fact many automakers now offer low-APR and deferred payment deals as a result of the crisis. Use our new filters to find dealerships in your area that offer safe, contactless services.
Are car dealerships still open?
Dealerships in most states are currently open and doing business. Some are open only for service at this point, and in some cases, they can conduct sales only online. A small number of states, including California, have specifically shut down car dealerships. Use our new filters to find dealerships near you that are open and offer safe, contactless services.
How do I disinfect my car?
If you’re concerned your car might have come into contact with the coronavirus – for example, if a person with COVID-19 symptoms has traveled in it – you should disinfect it. This is important not only for your own well-being, but also to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. For more information on how to disinfect a car, CarGurus has published a guide to cleaning your car to help prevent the spread of coronavirus .
Is the coronavirus crisis a good time to buy a car?
The coronavirus crisis has caused quite a bit of concern among car shoppers, particularly around finances, but some car purchases are urgent and simply cannot wait. Automakers and dealerships need to keep selling vehicles despite the crisis, so many now offer low-APR and deferred-payment deals to support sales while dealership visits pose risks. On top of that, gas prices are at historic lows. Use CarGurus’ new search filters to find dealerships in your area that offer safe, contactless services, and keep in mind that you may have more leverage to negotiate prices while overall demand for cars is much lower than usual.
How can I buy a car during the coronavirus crisis?
Many dealerships offer online services, ranging from virtual appointments, which let you choose a specific time to speak to a sales representative over the phone or via a video call, right through to contactless home delivery and test drives from home. If you need to buy a car during the coronavirus crisis, use CarGurus’ new search filters to see cars available from dealerships that offer safer shopping measures.
Will there be a shortage of domestic cars?
It is possible that some vehicles are harder to find because of stoppage in production. However, the decline in vehicle sales has resulted in higher vehicle supply levels. The industry data on vehicle supply shows inventory levels increasing between February and March. After the country reopens, there could be a supply interruption as production ramps up and sales increase. But it is unlikely that there will be a shortage of popular luxury or non-luxury vehicles.
Will there be a shortage of imported cars?
Similar to the domestic vehicles, it is possible that some vehicles are harder to find because of stoppage in production. However, for popular vehicles from brands like Nissan, Toyota, and Honda, consumers should be able to find the vehicles they want. Vehicles that are being shipped to the US may see a slight interruption in supply once sales rebound. But based on current inventory and sales levels, it does not appear there will be a major supply issue with imported vehicles.
What if my car lease is ending soon?
If your car lease is coming to an end during the coronavirus, you should contact your lease provider to discuss your options. It’s unlikely that you will be able to physically return the car, but your lender might be willing to extend the contract until coronavirus concerns ease – this might be a formal extension for a set amount of time, or an informal rolling extension.
What if I can’t make a payment on my loan or lease?
If you are worried about making a payment on your car loan or lease during the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis, you should contact your lender at the earliest opportunity. A lender can’t offer help if it isn’t aware that a problem exists. Make sure you have your loan or lease contract available for reference when you contact your lender to save time.
Can I get my car serviced during the coronavirus crisis?
Most states have allowed auto repair shops, including those at dealerships, to remain open during the coronavirus. During this time of uncertainty, however, you should definitely visit the website and/or call any garage or repair shop you plan to visit in advance, since many are now scheduling appointments more carefully. You should also find out whether the shop you plan to visit follows CDC recommendations regarding prevention during the coronavirus. If you’re worried that not having your car serviced on schedule will affect its warranty, contact your dealer or the manufacturer itself for information on the changes it has put in place regarding this.
How long can my car sit without being driven?
Letting any car sit still for a long time can lead to issues with the batteries, brakes, and tires.
Batteries can be drained even when the car is switched off if electrical items remain active (alarms, for example). Taken to the extreme, this could mean your car will fail to start just at the moment you need it. If your car is parked on property you own, you can overcome this danger by plugging into a “trickle charger,” which keeps the battery charged via a conventional wall socket. Failing that, you should start your car and run it for 15 to 20 minutes once a week or so. That will top off the battery as well as circulate fluids around the engine. Running the air-conditioning at the same time will help prevent mold from developing within your system.
When a car’s brakes aren’t used for a prolonged period, they can begin to rust on the surface. This in turn can make them noisy and cause them to seize. To prevent this from happening, roll the car backward and forward a few times. If you’re parked on private land and it’s flat, you can also leave the emergency brake off to prevent it from seizing. Be sure to leave the car in gear to prevent it from moving.
By rolling your car a few meters you can help prevent the tires from developing flat spots.
What happens if my car breaks down during the coronavirus crisis?
Breakdown recovery services such as AAA continue to operate during the coronavirus crisis, but because the cab of a tow truck is too small for social distancing, AAA will transport your car but asks drivers to find alternative transport. Garages and service workshops are also open, so car repairs should generally not be a problem, assuming all necessary parts are available, but again, you’ll want to observe social distancing at any shop you visit, and depending on how carefully the shop is following CDC prevention guidelines, you might want to disinfect your car after it’s been repaired.
What happens if my car gets a flat tire during the coronavirus crisis?
If you carry a spare wheel in the car and can stop in a safe place, check CarGurus' guide to changing a tire yourself . You can then take the damaged tire to a garage or service center for repair or replacement, but again, you’ll want to observe social distancing at any shop you visit. If you don’t have the option of changing the wheel yourself, breakdown recovery services are still operating during the COVID-19 crisis and should be able to help.
What basic car maintenance should I do during the coronavirus crisis?
The most important point is to ensure your car remains in roadworthy condition. Check to make sure the lights (including turn-signal lights), seatbelts, and brakes all work, and look out for any warning lamps on the dashboard after you’ve started the engine. You should also keep an eye on the oil and coolant levels and ensure the tires haven’t developed any flat spots.
How can I sell my car during the coronavirus crisis?
Car owners have a number of options to sell their car themselves , but potential buyers may be uncomfortable dealing with the logistics of test-driving and purchasing a car during the coronavirus. Using CarGurus Pay will put your listing in front of an audience of verified buyers, provide assistance with paperwork, and allow secure payment online. If you do sell your car during the coronavirus crisis, it’s important to clean it to help minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus before handing it off to its new owner.
Is it safe to buy gas and diesel fuel?
If you’re using your car during the coronavirus crisis, you’ll likely need to fill it with fuel at some point. Gas stations remain open, but it’s important to follow CDC guidance around social distancing and washing your hands if you visit one. If you can, grab a box of disposable gloves for your car before heading to a gas station, and put a fresh pair on before picking up a pump handle. Using a credit card to pay at the pump can help you avoid contact with station employees, but you’ll want to keep your hands protected no matter how you plan to pay. After you finish pumping and paying, throw your gloves in the trash and wash your hands, with sanitizer if possible.
Is it safe to charge an electric car?
If you’re charging your car using an electric charger, it’s important to follow the same rules you would when filling up with gas or diesel. Put on a pair of disposable gloves before touching any part of the charger if you have them, and throw those gloves away after you replace the charger and pay for your charge. Then wash your hands, with sanitizer if possible.
What is no-contact car service?
No-contact car service, also known as contactless or concierge car service, is when a garage or shop collects and returns your car as part of its service or maintenance regime. This would be a great option for repairs during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s important to clean your car before it gets collected and after it gets returned in order to help limit the spread of coronavirus.