How often should a car be started?

[Mandy]

It is recommended to start the car once a week and drive it every half month, covering about 3-5 kilometers each time. For long-term parking, pay attention to the following points: 1. Pre-parking preparation: Clean the car body and interior thoroughly before parking. Waxing or coating the car can help prevent paint corrosion. If possible, store the car in a garage. If parking outdoors, at least cover the car with a car cover to protect it from sun, rain, and damage from fallen leaves and other debris. 2. Brake discs: For vehicles parked for extended periods, avoid engaging the handbrake tightly. The brake system can easily react with moisture and oxygen in the air, leading to rust on the brake discs and pads. This can cause them to stick together, affecting braking performance and potentially causing wheel lock upon restart. 3. Tires: To prevent tire deformation, inflate the tires slightly higher than usual, around 2.8 bar, which is a common practice at 4S shops. Additionally, choose a flat surface for parking to minimize tire damage. Parking on uneven surfaces for long periods can lead to tire deformation.

[StRonan]

As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I've found that starting a long-parked vehicle once a week is the safest approach. Don't turn off the engine immediately after starting - let it run for at least 15 minutes to charge the battery and allow oil circulation. Once when I was away on business for half a month without starting my car, the battery was completely dead upon return, costing me 200 yuan for a jump start. Now I've learned my lesson - before business trips, I ask neighbors to start it weekly and slightly reposition the tires to prevent deformation. During rainy humid weather, I reduce the interval to 4-5 days to prevent brake disc rust and seizing. Remember to drive short distances after starting - idling only charges the battery without exercising other components.

[Elmer]

My habit is to start the engine every 10 days or so when the car is parked. During the pandemic lockdown two years ago, a neighbor in my community didn't move their car for a month. When it was towed to the repair shop, they found that the gasoline had stratified and deteriorated, costing over a thousand yuan to clean the fuel system. That's why I pay special attention to the fuel tank. If I know the car will be parked for a long time, I fill the tank to three-quarters full to prevent condensation. When starting, I always make sure the temperature gauge rises to the normal range to ensure proper oil circulation. Last time in a car enthusiasts' group, I saw someone start the engine for just 2 minutes before shutting it off, leaving acidic residues in the engine that caused corrosion.

[DelMackenzie]

It's recommended to determine the starting frequency based on parking duration: no need to worry within a week, but it should be started around two weeks. The key is not just pressing the ignition button, but also letting the car warm up properly. My neighbor has a classic vintage car, and he starts it every Sunday, backs it out of the garage, and then drives it back in, while also checking tire pressure and lights. Remember to turn off power-consuming devices like the car's WiFi; once, a dashcam in standby mode drained the battery completely. Also, operate the wipers periodically, otherwise the rubber blades may stick to the windshield. If you really can't start it due to traffic restrictions or business trips, at least disconnect the negative terminal of the battery.

[ThomasDella]

Recently helped a friend deal with a car that had been parked for 3 months—not only wouldn't it start, but the brake discs were completely rusted. Now my experience is: if you don't drive it for 7 consecutive days, you must start and drive it for at least 10 minutes on the 8th day. During the summer heat, you need to be even more diligent as rubber components age faster. After discovering a mouse nest under the hood last time, I now honk the horn before starting to scare away small animals. After starting, turn on the AC at high fan speed for a few minutes to prevent the evaporator from getting moldy and producing odors. If you forget to start it and the battery dies, remember to call professional roadside assistance—don't randomly use a power bank to jump-start it.

[SanMiranda]

The longest I've left my car parked was 25 days, and the battery was completely dead when I returned. The mechanic taught me: if it's over 10 days, you need to start the engine, and it's best to drive two kilometers to let the transmission gears rotate. Pay special attention in winter - when temperatures drop below zero, I change to starting it twice a week because cold reduces battery capacity by 30%. After starting, don't just sit there playing with your phone; keep an eye on the dashboard warning lights - last time I caught a low tire pressure alert. If you have a garage, open the door regularly for ventilation to prevent rubber components from aging. For truly long-term parking, you can buy a smart charger to maintain the battery.