Does Long-Term Inactivity Affect a Car?
3 Answers
If a car remains unused for an extended period, it can lead to the following impacts: Battery: The vehicle's battery charges while the car is in motion. Prolonged inactivity can harm the battery, potentially draining it within a month or even 2-3 weeks. Engine and Transmission: Extended parking can cause engine oil to deteriorate, affecting its lubrication properties and increasing wear, possibly even leading to solidification. Various coolants may also degrade, impacting engine performance. Braking System: When parked, drivers typically engage the handbrake, keeping the handbrake cable under tension, which can shorten its lifespan. Electronic Components and Rubber: Long-term parking makes electronic components prone to moisture damage, and exposure to weather accelerates rubber aging. Consequently, the vehicle's waterproofing and sound insulation capabilities may deteriorate.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I've seen too many problems with long-term parked vehicles. Last month, my neighbor's car wouldn't start after being parked for just one month, and we had to call for roadside assistance only to find the battery completely drained. Cars, like people, need to move their joints—prolonged inactivity is most damaging to the battery, especially for models with dashcams that drain power faster. Tires can deform from prolonged pressure on a single spot; I've seen cars parked for six months develop flat spots on their tires. Brake discs are also prone to rust and seizing—a friend of mine experienced severe brake noise when restarting. Now, if my car isn't driven for over two weeks, I have my family warm it up for ten minutes every few days and move it back and forth half a meter to prevent tire deformation. If possible, it's best to disconnect the battery's negative terminal for maximum safety.
Our auto repair shop receives three to four vehicles each month that have issues after being parked for extended periods. The most common problem is oil sedimentation, leading to insufficient lubrication when starting the engine. Last week, a Highlander that had been parked for two months made a rattling noise upon startup. Another issue is moisture damage to electronic components, especially during the rainy season in southern regions—a BMW’s sensor interface was completely oxidized. We recommend starting the engine for at least 20 minutes every two weeks to bring it to operating temperature, and running the air conditioning in cooling mode to prevent drying of the pipelines. Tire pressure should be 0.5 bar higher than usual, and if possible, lift the chassis. For long-term parking, it’s best to fill the fuel tank to avoid rust and place foam under the wipers to prevent them from sticking to the windshield.
