How long does it take to start a car that hasn't been used for a long time?
4 Answers
If a vehicle is not driven frequently, it requires a longer warm-up period before driving, approximately around 10 minutes. It is recommended that for vehicles parked for extended periods, they should be started once a week or driven once to recharge the battery, ensure even tire pressure distribution, and allow the engine oil to properly coat the internal components of the engine. This is crucial for vehicle maintenance. Here is additional information: 1. If a vehicle remains unused for a long time, the battery will enter a self-protection mode and continuously discharge. Typically, the battery will fully discharge within about three months. Moreover, when the battery discharges to around half capacity, the vehicle may fail to start normally. Therefore, if the vehicle is not in use, it should not remain parked for more than two months. 2. Prolonged inactivity can also cause engine oil to drain back. Reduced oil levels increase engine wear, leading to significant damage over time. Additionally, prolonged parking on the road can cause tire deformation, with the risk of tires sinking over time. Before restarting and driving the vehicle after long-term parking, a thorough inspection should be conducted.
I play with cars a lot in my daily life. If a car sits idle for an extended period, say over a week or two, starting it once only takes a few seconds as long as the battery has sufficient charge. However, the issue is that the battery gradually loses power. If left unused for one or two months, the battery voltage drops significantly, and the starter motor may crank for as long as 20 seconds without the engine firing up, or the system may even shut down completely. In such cases, you'd need to jump-start it or use a charger, which can take anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour. That's why I make it a habit to drive the car at least once a week, even if it's just for 10 minutes. In summer, when temperatures are high, the battery discharges faster, so extra caution is needed. In winter, colder temperatures make starting slower, requiring multiple attempts—it's best not to leave the car idle for more than two weeks and to start it for five minutes to recharge the battery and maintain the engine. Don't underestimate this routine—battery health is crucial to the overall condition of the car, and neglecting it could lead to expensive repairs for other components.
At my age, having driven for decades, I've noticed that starting a car after it's been parked for a while doesn't take long—usually just four or five seconds, provided the battery is in good condition. However, if left unused for an extended period, say three months, battery aging combined with environmental humidity can cause discharge, extending the startup time to half a minute or even resulting in failure, requiring external assistance, which is troublesome. I remember in my younger days, starting a car after a month of inactivity was effortless, but now, especially in cold weather, it's noticeably slower. My advice is not to leave your car parked for more than a month without starting it for 10 to 20 minutes. This not only recharges the battery but also protects the lubrication system and fuel lines from clogging, making daily car use less of a hassle.
Paying attention to safety details, when a car has been idle for too long, you'd want the engine to start within seconds upon ignition. However, if the battery is dead, the startup process could be prolonged or even fail, posing significant risks, especially for women traveling alone. For cars parked over two weeks, I make it a habit to start the engine for about seven to eight minutes regularly to ensure smooth operation. Otherwise, during cold snaps, startup delays of over ten seconds can be even more hazardous. Related checks include tire pressure and minor components. Regularly performing these checks saves money and prevents potential hazards—it's a small time investment with substantial returns.
