Is it okay to leave a new car unused for two weeks?
1 Answers
Leaving a new car unused for two weeks generally has no significant impact. However, it's advisable to start the vehicle for 5-10 minutes every one or two weeks to recharge the battery. The effects of prolonged inactivity on a new car are as follows: Battery Drainage: During extended periods of inactivity, continuous discharge can easily lead to battery depletion. In mild cases, it may affect the next vehicle start-up, while severe cases can directly cause battery damage. Each instance of excessive discharge causes irreversible harm to the battery. Rubber Component Aging: Rubber components in cars, such as tires and door/window sealing strips, are highly susceptible to premature aging due to exposure to sunlight and humidity changes. This leads to degraded performance and shortened lifespan. Rubber aging primarily occurs because rubber is an unsaturated hydrocarbon polymer that readily absorbs oxygen from the air, causing oxidation. Additionally, vulcanized rubber has certain permeability, allowing oxygen to penetrate and accelerate internal oxidation.