Is it okay to leave a car unused for a month?
3 Answers
There are impacts. Prolonged parking of a vehicle can cause tire deformation, resulting in noticeable rolling impacts when the vehicle is started again. Secondly, the battery will suffer severe depletion. When the battery's self-discharge reaches a certain level and remains undercharged for a long time, the plates inside the battery can become sulfated, shortening its lifespan. It is recommended to start the vehicle at least once a week. Below is relevant information: Battery lifespan is significantly shortened: The vehicle's battery charges while driving. If the car remains unused for a month, the battery cannot recharge. However, it continues to consume power, as electronic devices like the anti-theft module remain operational even after the engine is turned off. For older vehicles, the battery might die within 2-3 weeks. Tire deformation: When a car is parked, the entire weight is borne by the parts of the four tires in contact with the ground, causing compression and deformation in these contact areas. The longer the car remains parked, the harder it is for these deformed areas to recover, altering the weight distribution around the tires and creating uneven rolling radii, leading to tire imbalance. Once the car enters high-speed driving, body vibration can occur, accelerating tire wear and posing potential safety hazards.
Leaving a car unused for a month can indeed cause some minor issues. Let me share from my personal experience. The most common problem is a dead battery - my car wouldn't start after being parked for two weeks, and a friend later explained that lead-acid batteries naturally discharge over time, eventually becoming unable to start the engine. Additionally, tires left stationary under pressure can develop flat spots or deformations, causing vibrations when driving - this actually happened with my old car. Engine oil may also separate or expire, so it's best to check oil levels before driving. Brake discs might rust, and rodents may nest in the engine compartment and chew wires. To prevent these issues, I recommend starting the engine every two or three days and letting it run for about ten minutes - this recharges the battery and lubricates the engine. Alternatively, you could fully charge the battery before parking and arrange for someone to start the car periodically.
As someone who frequently travels for business, my car often sits idle for a month. While not a major issue, there are things to watch out for: the battery will degrade—my new car had trouble starting after just four weeks, requiring a charger or a jump start. Tire deformation is rare but possible; once, my steering wheel shook while driving, and upon inspection, I found the tires had deformed from prolonged pressure on one spot. Fluids like engine oil or coolant can deteriorate over time, leading to rough engine starts. A handy tip is to fill up the tank before parking to prevent fuel evaporation, adjust tire pressure to the recommended level, and ideally, have someone drive it short distances monthly. Overall, it's not a big deal—just take preventive measures, and don’t worry too much about damaging the car.
