How Often Should You Start a Car That Has Been Sitting for a Long Time?

[CamillaFitz]

If a car is not used for an extended period, it is recommended to start the engine once a week for at least half an hour to prevent battery drain and recharge the battery. The reasons for regularly starting the engine after long-term inactivity include: lubricating oil flows into the oil pan, reducing lubrication for various moving parts; without the protection of an oil film, metal can easily react with oxygen to form an oxide layer, increasing friction and making it difficult to start; if the battery is not recharged for a long time, the battery plates will thicken during the discharge process, increasing internal resistance and reducing the battery's lifespan. For cars that will be unused for a long time, it is best to fill the fuel tank completely. A full tank minimizes the content of fuel-air mixture inside, as a larger empty space in the tank stores more fuel-air mixture, which is highly dangerous and can ignite upon contact with sparks or open flames. At certain concentrations, it may even explode. Filling the tank helps reduce the fuel-air mixture content, ensuring safety.