Car Enthusiast’s boredom guide – Car-related activities to do around the house

When cooped up at home, you may get the impulse to go out and just drive. To relieve your boredom, however, you don't need to go out because there are a few activities you can do without leaving the sanctity of your abode. Being into cars is about more than just driving. There are several things that you can do to alleviate your unstimulated mind. Here's a survival guide for car guys while bored at home. 

If you haven’t yet, perhaps now is the best time to bring out that car shampoo and give your pride and joy a good wash down. Keeping your car clean is not just an essential part of car ownership, but it is also a bonding experience, as getting up close and personal with your car’s bodywork is one of the best ways to get to know it. 

It is important to know your machine inside and out. Make sure to check the oil, which means checking if there is enough and it’s not dark-colored. Check your tire pressure, brake pads, lights, and other maintenance bits to make sure your vehicle is in top condition. It wouldn’t hurt to be sure – that’s for sure. Mark items off that are due for replacement with your dealership or maintenance service provider. 

There are multiple templates that are free to download. Modern models like the Mazda Demio (Mazda2) Axela (Mazda3), Atenza (Mazda6), CX-3, CX-5, Roadster (MX-5) are present. Even heritage cars are on site. Intended for children, papercraft can be another way to pass the time at home even for adults. There are three difficulty levels, low, medium, and high. You can either do this with your kids or do it alone, there’s no shame in that. 

Unless your house is large enough, displaying a car inside a room is going to be a challenge, but scale models can be put on a shelf, and the beauty of it is, you can have many instead of just a few.

There are even some scale models that come as kits that you have to assemble and paint yourself. While tricky and possibly frustrating, a heaping spoonful of patience may yield some fantastic results. If you want to build your dream car or remake your current car, perhaps this is something to consider. 

Also, remember those remote-controlled (RC) cars? There are versions that are more grown-up, meaning they cater to different niches. You can build a trail-ready RC rig, or a drift-spec slide machine, even something else entirely. 

While there are many programs out on internet streaming sites, many of these cater to a wide, and not specialized audience. There are, however, shows that serve as good entertainment for car enthusiasts. Whether it be shows or movies, here are a few picks that you may want to check out. Note that these are only suggestions. 

If you haven’t seen it yet, perhaps Ford v Ferrari will tickle your fancy. A classic underdog story, and an inspiring take on the Le Mans rivalry between the American and Italian brand back in the day. 

Formula 1: Drive to Survive is about more than just a few laps on a Grand Prix circuit, it’s a series that covers all the drama that accompanies the sport. Watch as teams struggle to get pole position, fix mechanical issues, and create winning strategies to take home a podium finish. It’s a great show if you’re an avid fan, or have been meaning to get into the sport. 

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May run their own show on Amazon Prime Video called The Grand Tour. The trio brings their quips and wit to the world stage as they travel across countries to bring you entertaining car content. 

Now, this may be a little self-serving, but check out Behind the Wheel/Behind a Desk on Youtube to get your fix of Caco and his antics. Watch reviews, and be informed, or see him go  Behind a Desk to hear more thoughts on cars he’s driven or has yet to drive. Also, watch out for new videos and gags that may entertain and make you learn a thing or two.

Driving in the virtual world isn’t as fun as driving in the real world, but it does get close. Pretty much everyone has a cellphone nowadays, but not everyone has a console or gaming-spec personal computer to run video games. 

With that being said, there are some good mobile games that are on the app store for free or for a small fee. Check them out to pass the time. On the other hand, there are more full-fledged games that you can play on PC or console. From racing sims to some arcade-style titles, there are a few things that you can consider if you want to get into it. You can also make the experience even better with steering wheels, pedals, and even a racing seat.