How often should a car be started if it is not driven frequently?
1 Answers
It is recommended to start the car at least once a week or every two weeks. Long-term inactivity of a vehicle can cause significant harm, including battery depletion, tire blowouts, and oil sedimentation. For vehicles parked for extended periods, it is advisable to start and drive them once a week if possible. This helps recharge the battery, evenly distribute tire pressure, and most importantly, ensures that the engine oil adheres properly to the internal components of the engine, which is crucial for vehicle maintenance. If a vehicle remains idle for a long time, the oxidation of engine oil becomes more severe. Oxidized oil first affects the lubrication efficiency of the engine and transmission, and secondly, acidic substances can corrode mechanical components. The longer the vehicle remains unused, the more severe the oil oxidation becomes, leading to increased dry friction between the cylinders and pistons upon restarting, accelerating component wear and making the engine harder to start. When a vehicle is parked, the oil in the seals and pipelines remains stagnant, causing uneven pressure distribution around the seals. The side under greater pressure experiences more deformation. The longer the vehicle remains idle, the harder it becomes for the seals to recover, eventually leading to permanent loss of elasticity. Electronic components and connectors in vehicles require protection against water, moisture, and corrosion to prevent malfunctions. For parked vehicles, the risk of moisture affecting electronic components or wiring connections increases significantly, and the likelihood of failure rises with prolonged inactivity.
