How Often Should a Car Be Driven When Not in Use?

[ChloeDella]

A car should not be left parked continuously for more than half a month. Here are some relevant points about small cars: 1. Precautions: If a car remains unused for a month, it can be very detrimental to the vehicle's health. Prolonged parking can cause tire deformation. When the vehicle is started again, you may feel noticeable rolling impacts because the part of the tire that has been pressed against the ground for an extended period becomes flattened. It takes some time for the tire to regain its original shape. 2. Vehicle Maintenance: This includes cleaning, inspection, replenishment, lubrication, tightening, adjustment, and replacement. Cleaning mainly involves removing external dirt, tidying the cabin and interior, keeping the engine and chassis free of grime, maintaining clean fuel, oil, air filters, and battery, and removing debris from the tire treads.

[DiAmelia]

Leaving a car unused for too long is really not a good idea. My neighbor's car sat idle for over a month last winter, and when he tried to start it again, the battery was dead. The mechanic said you should start the engine at least every two weeks, letting it run for at least 15 minutes to warm up and circulate the oil. It's even better if you can drive it a few kilometers to prevent tire deformation from prolonged pressure in one spot. Gasoline can go bad after three months, so it's best to add a stabilizer. Electronic devices in standby mode also drain the battery, so if you're not using the car for an extended period, it's better to disconnect the battery. Now, even if I don't need to use my car, I make sure to drive it to the supermarket on weekends—it keeps the car in good condition and gets errands done at the same time.

[McKate]

A personal experience to share: Last time I went on a business trip and left my car parked in the underground garage for two whole months. When I returned, I found the starter motor buzzing but the car wouldn't start. A mechanic came to check and said the battery was severely drained, requiring a jump start, and the tire pressure had dropped significantly with visible flat spots. The engine oil had settled, increasing cold start wear, and the brake discs were covered in rust. Now I always remind myself: try not to leave the car unused for more than three weeks. If long-term parking is unavoidable, disconnect the negative battery terminal, inflate the tires to the maximum pressure, and cover the car properly. The ideal solution is to start the engine for five minutes every week—even idling in place is fine—to let the alternator recharge the battery. Otherwise, replacing a new battery could cost several hundred yuan again.

[VonHarper]

Based on my maintenance habits, it's best to start a compact car once a week. The battery usually drains to a critical level within half a month, especially for vehicles with keyless entry systems which consume more power. Tires develop flat spots if parked for over four weeks, causing noticeable vibrations when driving and potentially damaging the suspension. Oil drainage leads to insufficient engine lubrication, increasing wear during initial startup due to dry friction. If parked outdoors, wiper blades may deteriorate and stick to the windshield within a month. Simple rule: Drive for 15 minutes if idle over two weeks; seek professional maintenance if exceeding one month. For short-term parking, remember to turn off power-consuming devices like interior lights and dash cams.