How Often Should You Drive Your Car?
4 Answers
It is recommended to drive your car at least once a week for more than 30 minutes to prevent battery drain and tire deformation caused by prolonged inactivity, ensuring all vehicle functions remain operational. Effects of prolonged car inactivity: If a car is left unused for an extended period, the battery will automatically deplete. Once the battery is drained, the car may fail to start. Additionally, prolonged inactivity can cause oxidation and deterioration of engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, and various car components. Effects of prolonged engine oil inactivity: Leaving engine oil unused for a long time can lead to oxidation and deterioration, reducing its efficiency. For new cars, the battery can typically last about a month without use. However, for older vehicles, the battery's lifespan may significantly decrease. Prolonged inactivity can easily result in battery drain, making it impossible to start the car.
Recently someone asked me if a car would break down if left parked for too long, so I specifically consulted a master mechanic at the repair shop. He said if the car isn't moved for over two weeks, the engine oil basically flows back into the oil pan, and starting it up during that period is especially damaging to the parts. The battery is the most delicate—leave it for 28 days and it's guaranteed to lose charge, and the cost of a jump-start rescue is enough for you to fill half a tank of gas. Rubber components like tires start to deform and leak air after three months, and suspension bushings also harden and crack. Last time I was away on business for a month, I came back to find the brake discs rusted, making a clanking noise when driving. If you really can't avoid it, he recommends starting the engine at least every 10 days and letting it idle for 15 minutes, turning the steering wheel a few times to circulate the oil in various parts.
Attention to those who drive infrequently for daily commutes: don't treat your car like a sacred relic. My car once sat idle for three weeks, and upon starting, the dashboard displayed five or six error codes. The mechanic said it was due to moisture affecting the sensors. The battery is particularly vulnerable—modern car systems drain power 24/7, and it can be completely depleted in just twenty days. Brake pads can rust if they get wet; last month, a colleague moved his car and heard a loud 'clunk,' damaging the caliper. If you must park it for a while, lift the wipers off the windshield, inflate the tires to the maximum pressure, and disconnect all electrical devices. At the very least, take it for a short drive every two weeks, and stop once the engine reaches operating temperature.
Last year, my neighbor parked her car in the underground garage for six months, only to spend over 4,000 yuan replacing the battery and dealing with five bulging tires. Long-term parking is truly the trifecta of car destruction: the battery starves and drains, tire sidewalls deform like wearing flat shoes, and engine oil deteriorates like spoiled porridge. Even worse, rats nested in the engine bay and chewed through my friend’s car computer wires, costing nearly 10,000 yuan in repairs. Experience tells me that leaving a car idle for over a month can cause brake fluid to absorb moisture, increasing braking distance by 3-4 meters, while gasoline in the tank can separate and form gummy deposits. Don’t be lazy—start your car at least once every 20 days!
