However, as commuters switch to trains and trams, many cars remain unused at home. While this break seems harmless, it can cause engine or part issues that only appear when driving again.
Right now, Victorians are living through something pretty unusual: a whole month of completely free public transport. The Victorian Government's initiative covers metro trains, trams, buses, and V/Line services right through to 30 April.
For anyone who normally spends hundreds each month getting to work, it's a genuine lifeline. Naturally, thousands of commuters have happily swapped their car keys for a myki card.
The Problem Nobody Warned You About
Here's what doesn't make the headlines: parking a car for weeks at a time is not as harmless as it sounds. Cars are not designed to sit still; they're built to move, and movement is what keeps everything working as it should.
Across Victoria, thousands of vehicles sit idle, quietly developing problems their owners won't discover until needed again.
Your Car Is Never Truly Switched Off
Even when a car is locked and parked, it's still drawing power. Alarms, onboard computers, clocks, and background electronics (known as parasitic drain) are slowly pulling charge from the battery around the clock.
Over a few weeks, that drain adds up fast.
Auto technicians see this regularly: a customer returns from a holiday or, in this case, a month of free train travel, and their car simply won't turn over. It sounds bad, but it often isn't. In many cases, a professional battery recharge is all you need.
Why Jump-Starting Might Not Cut It
Reaching for jumper cables seems obvious, but it only fixes part of the problem. A jump-start might get the engine running, but it doesn't fix what happened to the rest of the car while it was inactive.
- Tyres develop flat spots if the vehicle's weight stays in one position too long.
- Engine oil settles and loses its protective coating on critical components.
- Brake callipers and pads can begin to seize or corrode without regular use.
- Older brake fluid absorbs moisture over time and becomes less effective.
If your car was nearing its service due date before April started, these risks increase.
That Monday Morning Moment
That first Monday in May is going to be a little different. With free travel ending, myki returns to regular rates, and thousands of Victorians eagerly head to their driveways.
With keys in one hand and coffee in the other, you’re probably keen to get back behind the wheel.
But what if the engine hesitates? Or the brakes feel a bit soft on that first drive? Or the steering pulls just a little to one side?
These aren't serious breakdowns, but rather the quiet signs of a month without driving, and they can catch you by surprise when you least expect it.
What to Do Before You Need Your Car Again
Don't wait until the morning you actually need to drive somewhere. Before April wraps up, try starting your car. If it starts, even better; take it for a short 15- to 20-minute drive to circulate fluids and warm the engine properly.
If it struggles or doesn't start at all, avoid repeatedly cranking the ignition. Repeated failed start attempts can further strain an already depleted battery and make the situation worse.
One or two attempts are enough. Then, it's time to call in a professional.
The Smartest Move After April
Once regular driving resumes, booking a car service in Preston or whichever local area the vehicle is based in is genuinely the smartest step a driver can take.
A workshop like Kendo Auto Electrical can run a full battery health check, inspect fluid levels, assess brake components, and check tyre condition: everything that a month of inactivity can quietly affect.
Quick Checklist: Signs Your Car Might Need Attention After April
- Slow or strained start — battery may need a professional recharge
- Vibration in the steering wheel — possible tyre flat spots
- Soft or spongy brake pedal — brake fluid or calliper issues
- Warning lights on the dash — electronics flagging issues after inactivity
- Unusual noises on first drive — fluids and components waking back up
If any of these appear, have the vehicle inspected before relying on it for daily use.
Free public transport across Victoria is a genuinely great initiative. It eases cost-of-living pressure and gets more people onto public transport, which is a win-win.
But cars shouldn’t take a break just because their owners do. A little attention now, whether that's a short drive, a battery check, or a full post-April inspection, can save a much bigger headache down the road.
