Is It Harmful to Drive a Car Only Once a Week?

[EllieRose]

Starting the car once a week does not cause harm. Below are the potential damages caused by prolonged inactivity of a vehicle: Oil drainage: Engine oil has a certain viscosity. When the car starts, the oil pump inside the engine immediately begins working, distributing oil to various engine components, thus not causing any harm to the engine. Only when the car is parked for an extended period, causing the oil to drain down to the oil pan, will it lead to increased engine wear. Battery discharge: A normal battery will not discharge to the point of being unable to start the car within a week, unless the battery itself has quality issues. Typically, starting the car for about half an hour will fully charge the battery, so there is no impact on the battery either. Component aging: Components such as lights, chassis, body, and electrical parts will not be damaged due to a week of inactivity. They age through continuous use and friction. Avoid parking the car in places exposed to sunlight and rain for extended periods.