How often should a car that is not frequently used be started?
2 Answers
It is recommended to start the car once a week or at least every two weeks. There are significant hazards associated with not starting a car for extended periods. Long-term parking can lead to issues such as battery depletion, tire blowouts, and oil sedimentation. For vehicles that are parked for long durations, it is advisable to start and drive them once a week if possible. This practice helps recharge the battery, ensures even tire pressure distribution, and most importantly, allows the engine oil to better adhere 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 can become quite severe. Oxidized oil first affects the lubrication efficiency of the engine and transmission, and secondly, acidic substances can corrode mechanical parts. The longer a vehicle is left 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 stationary, the oil in the seals and pipelines remains stagnant, causing uneven pressure distribution around the seals. The side under greater pressure will experience more deformation of the seal. The longer the vehicle remains parked, the worse the seal's ability to recover becomes, eventually leading to a permanent loss of elasticity. Electronic components and connectors in vehicles are particularly susceptible to moisture, humidity, and corrosion, which can cause malfunctions. The likelihood of these components becoming damp increases significantly in parked vehicles, and the risk of failure rises with the duration of inactivity.
When my car is not driven frequently, it's generally best to start it once a week. Based on my experience, if the engine sits idle for more than two weeks, problems can easily arise, such as the battery slowly discharging, leading to failure to start. I choose a fixed time, like on weekends, to let the car idle for about 15 minutes. This helps maintain a higher battery charge level. At the same time, it allows the engine oil to circulate, preventing parts from rusting or seizing. Tire pressure should also be checked to avoid deformation from long-term parking. My neighbor's car once sat for a month without moving, and the battery was completely dead, costing nearly a thousand to replace. In short, developing the habit of starting the car once a week is simple and reassuring, saving a lot of trouble.
