What Are the Effects of Leaving a Car Unused for a Long Time?
2 Answers
The effects of leaving a car unused for a long time are as follows: premature failure and aging of various oil seals, leading to oil leakage; significant shortening of battery life; tire deformation; deterioration of fluids; electronic component failures; and aging of the braking system. Therefore, it is necessary to start the car regularly and drive it around a bit. The specific effects are as follows: 1. Premature failure and aging of various oil seals, leading to oil leakage. When a car is parked in one place for a long time, the contact pressure around the oil seals becomes uneven, and over time, this can cause permanent deformation of the oil seals, resulting in oil leakage. 2. Significant shortening of battery life: If the car is left unused for a month, the battery cannot be charged. However, it continues to consume power, as electronic devices like the anti-theft module remain operational even after the engine is turned off. 3. Tire deformation: When a car is parked, the entire weight of the vehicle is borne by the parts of the four tires in contact with the ground, causing these contact areas to compress and deform. The longer the car remains parked, the harder it is for the deformed areas to recover, altering the weight distribution around the tires and leading to uneven rolling radii and unbalanced tires. 4. Deterioration of fluids: If a car is left unused for a long time, the oxidation of engine oil becomes more severe. Oxidized oil affects the lubrication efficiency of the engine, and acidic substances can corrode mechanical components. 5. Electronic component failures: The likelihood of moisture affecting the electronic components or wiring connectors of a parked car increases significantly, and the longer the car remains unused, the higher the probability of failure. 6. Aging of the braking system: Being in a tense state for a long time can cause the brake pads and brake discs to stick together, thereby shortening their lifespan.
Long-term vehicle storage can cause quite a few headaches. The battery is the most annoying – even when not in use, it self-discharges and will typically be completely drained in about three months, requiring a replacement that costs several hundred yuan. Tires are another issue; staying in one position for too long can cause deformation and out-of-roundness, leading to vibrations when driving and necessitating a full replacement. The engine oil oxidizes and deteriorates, causing metal-on-metal friction upon restarting, which is particularly damaging to the connecting rod bearings. Brake discs will inevitably rust, squealing loudly after rain until they’re worn smooth again. Dust, tree sap, and bird droppings stick to the paint, becoming difficult to clean, while summer heat accelerates aging. One customer’s car sat for six months, and mice even nested in the AC ducts, chewing through wiring and costing over 3,000 yuan in repairs. It’s recommended to start the engine for at least 20 minutes weekly or disconnect the battery’s negative terminal and inflate the tires 10-15% above normal pressure.
