The American Automobile Association (AAA) is advising drivers who are on the roads during the coronavirus pandemic to do what they can to prevent the virus from being carried in one's vehicle.

AAA has also released a statement saying people should keep an eye on the batteries in cars not being driven often.

Car Sanitation

Most household cleaners that kill coronavirus are safe to use on a car interior without causing damage. Cleaning solutions that are at least 70 percent alcohol are effective against coronavirus, and they are generally very safe on car interiors. Follow these tips to disinfect your vehicle:

Don't use bleach and hydrogen peroxide cleaners. Though they can kill coronavirus, they might also damage the car's upholstery.

When cleaning out-of-the-ordinary surfaces such as suede, Alcantara® (synthetic suede) or older headliners, it's smart to check the owner’s manual for automaker recommendations.

Take time to give your car a thorough cleaning while wearing disposable gloves. You may want to vacuum and remove any trash or debris if necessary. Clean dirty surfaces using detergent or soap and water before disinfecting.

When using your disinfectant solution, don't just wipe the obvious areas like the steering wheel and door handles. Make sure you clean the complete interior of the vehicle.

You can follow up by applying protectant to the interior surfaces. Professional detailers use products that preserve the original factory finish, which usually has a natural matte or satin appearance.

Use an alcohol-based window cleaner for all window surfaces. This should work for touchscreen displays as well but consult your car's manual to be safe.

To be thorough, clean the carpets and floors. Carpets can be cleaned by spraying a suitable detergent solution on spots, using a brush to work it in, then rubbing with a towel to remove the stain and cleaner.

Cleaning dirtier areas, particularly floor mats and cargo area carpeting, may require the use of a carpet “steam” cleaner equipped with a hand-held attachment. Cloth upholstery is cleaned in much the same manner as carpets.

Now that your car is clean, keep some disinfectant wipes on hand to routinely wipe off commonly touched areas.

The CDC's full list of disinfectants that can kill the coronavirus is at https://bit.ly/33JJ736.

Watch Batteries

With more people staying at home during the coronavirus outbreak, many cars are sitting in driveways and parking spaces for days on end without being driven.

For some drivers, this results in a dead battery, which is the last thing motorists want when they attempt to head out for groceries other essential services, not to mention needing the vehicle for an emergency.

AAA is reminding motorists, who are working from home and practicing social distancing, to regularly go out and start their vehicles, and to take a ride around the neighborhood to keep the battery in good working condition.

AAA is deemed an essential service, so our technicians can conduct battery testing right in the driveways of motorists with mobile battery trucks.

Motorists should be aware of signs that show a car's battery is nearing the end of its life. Here are some things to look out for: vehicle cranks slowly when trying to start; grinding, clicking or buzzing when the ignition is turned on; vehicle has stalled; headlights dim when idling, but brighten when the driver revs the engine; battery is more than three years old.

Motorists should be aware – if their car starts properly, but hasn’t been driven in a while, they should drive it every couple of days to make sure the battery is charged. If the car won't start or the battery shows some of the signs listed above, motorists may be tempted to jump start the car with the help of another vehicle. This could be difficult to arrange during times of social distancing.