How often should an engine be started?

Iridium

I bought my first car recently (a Toyota Yaris), and I can't drive it yet cause I haven't got my learner's permit. Working on it though!

Anyway since the car is not getting used at present, I'm wondering how often the engine should be turned on, how long for, and how many revs. I know that an engine shouldn't be left for weeks and weeks without being turned over every once in a while. I don't want to run the battery flat though. So basically I'm just wondering how long an engine should be run for in order to replenish the battery power which is used up getting the starter motor running, and how many revs should be used.

So many people have told me so many different things! But more opinions would be welcome!

Heroditas

How old is the Yairs? If the battery is relatively new, once a fortnight should be more than sufficient and just leave the engine idling for about 10 minutes

Iridium

Heroditas wrote: »

How old is the Yairs? If the battery is relatively new, once a fortnight should be more than sufficient and just leave the engine idling for about 10 minutes

It's year 2000 and to the best of my knowledge it's still the original battery. I'm the 4th owner, so I don't know for certain.

unkel

Iridium wrote: »

It's year 2000 and to the best of my knowledge it's still the original battery. I'm the 4th owner, so I don't know for certain.

Is there any date on the battery? It is possible, but unlikely that it still is the original battery. If it is the original, there's no point in trying to keep it alive. Batteries last 3-5 years typically. That said, the last battery I replaced was 10 years old

peasant

It's actually better for the engine to not run it at all than to just have it turning over cold, revving it, without warming it up.

As for the battery ..take it out and put it on a trickle charger

Mr Benevolent

Drain all the oil out, start the engine and stand on the accelerator, that'll warm it up*

*If you hear a huge BANG you might have overdone it

Captain Slow IRL

peasant wrote: »

It's actually better for the engine to not run it at all than to just have it turning over cold, revving it, without warming it up.

As for the battery ..take it out and put it on a trickle charger

+1

Or you could just disconnect the battery, stop any discharge at all.

bushy...

One of these would keep the battery very happy :

http://www.accumate.co.uk/it010003.htm

and could be useful in the future too.

sogood

Confab wrote: »

Drain all the oil out, start the engine and stand on the accelerator, that'll warm it up*

*If you hear a huge BANG you might have overdone it

While humour is always appreciated, given the OP's apparent lack of mechanical knowledge, posts such as the above may be dangerously misleading. I know it's very unlikely, for the same reason, that he/she might actually follow up on your (humourous) suggestion, but still...............

Quite funny though!

congo_90

Op just disconnect the negative on the battery and leave her be till your ready. It won't discharge then. This is a very straight forward process. All you need is a spanner. Its the one that doesn't have a + sign on it.

When you're ready to drive then reconnect and secure the connection again bobs your uncle she'll start no bother at all.

JoeySully

peasant wrote: »

It's actually better for the engine to not run it at all than to just have it turning over cold, revving it, without warming it up.

As for the battery ..take it out and put it on a trickle charger

Id agree with this - have read it several times before.
Heating the car up every now and again without heating it up fully will leave unnecessary moisture build up in the engine and exhaust system that will not be burnt away.

leave the handbrake off though ! with the cold wet weather on its way the handbrake can get welded onto the drums and stick.
Clean the inside of the car well - including the seats to avoid mildew building up and perhaps put some of those moisture absorbing bags in there too.

Tipsy Mac

Id start it every 2 weeks and move the car up and down your driveway or if its on the street the length of the car and back.

rebel.ranter

The best idea is to get someone who has "driving of other cars" on their insurance policy, e.g. parents to bring it for a 30 minute spin every couple of weeks. In between these spins disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to prevent any drain.

Gary ITR

Tipsy Mac wrote: »

Id start it every 2 weeks and move the car up and down your driveway or if its on the street the length of the car and back.

Unless the driveway is a couple of miles long I wouldn't do this

rebel.ranter wrote: »

The best idea is to get someone who has "driving of other cars" on their insurance policy, e.g. parents to bring it for a 30 minute spin every couple of weeks. In between these spins disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to prevent any drain.

I'd go with this option. Either get somebody to bring it for a decent spin every week or leave it alone altogether and disconnect the battery

Del2005

It should only take a few weeks to get a learners permit. You shouldn't need to do anything to the car in that time. People take longer holidays then this and just leave their cars in a carpark.

But if it takes longer then get someone else to drive it or leave it sitting. If leaving it sitting you could over inflate the tyres a bit to lessen the slim chance of getting flat spot, but remembered to do you daily checks when you do start driving.

Iridium

Thanks for all the advice folks. Appreciate it lots.

Tiny bit confused though. Lots of you seem to be suggesting the biggest problem with leaving a car sitting idle for a while is that the battery will go flat. Whereas I was previously led to believe the idea for starting it every now and again was to keep the engine from "seizing up", for lack of a better term. Especially as the weather is starting to turn colder. Like one of you pointed out, I don't have a very strong grasp of mechanics just yet! So apologies if my logic is way off there!

The reason I mentioned the battery in the first place was only because in starting the engine periodically without actually giving the car a decent run, the power used to turn the starter motor wouldn't be replenished, and hence the battery will eventually go flat. So that's what I'm trying to avoid doing.

The car is currently parked in an underground, unheated car park, if that's of any consequence.

I have my theory test in the morning *crosses fingers* so with any luck I'll be at least taking driving lessons in my own car within the next few weeks.

Captain Slow IRL

Your engine won't seize up because of the cold - not in Ireland anyway! The only thing to be wary of would be moisture building up in the engine oil - but an oil change would sort this out.

Good luck with the test!

746watts

rebel.ranter wrote: »

The best idea is to get someone who has "driving of other cars" on their insurance policy, e.g. parents to bring it for a 30 minute spin every couple of weeks. In between these spins disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to prevent any drain.

Have someone who has insurance cover to drive it once a fortnight is the best idea by far. Yaris is a great car and best of luck with it and with getting your permit too.

Del2005

Iridium wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice folks. Appreciate it lots.

Tiny bit confused though. Lots of you seem to be suggesting the biggest problem with leaving a car sitting idle for a while is that the battery will go flat. Whereas I was previously led to believe the idea for starting it every now and again was to keep the engine from "seizing up", for lack of a better term. Especially as the weather is starting to turn colder. Like one of you pointed out, I don't have a very strong grasp of mechanics just yet! So apologies if my logic is way off there!

The reason I mentioned the battery in the first place was only because in starting the engine periodically without actually giving the car a decent run, the power used to turn the starter motor wouldn't be replenished, and hence the battery will eventually go flat. So that's what I'm trying to avoid doing.

Older cars used to seize up, but very few cars from the last 20 years will suffer any damage from sitting for a few weeks. We left a Ford Sierra sitting for 4+ years and it started 2nd time with a charged battery, after we remembered the kill switch:o The battery will be drained in a car by the radio, clock and alarm if fitted.

If you start any car it should really be ran for 10 min or more to let the battery recharge the power used to start it. But if you leave it running on idle moisture could build up in the engine, as car engines aren't designed to be ran static. That's why people are saying drive it or leave it.

The car is currently parked in an underground, unheated car park, if that's of any consequence.

I have my theory test in the morning *crosses fingers* so with any luck I'll be at least taking driving lessons in my own car within the next few weeks.

Even unheated, and you'd do well to find any heated garages in Ireland, an underground carpark is one of the best places to keep a car.

Good luck with both tests and enjoy your driving.

Iridium

Thanks a million folks. Passed the test anyway so it hopefully won't be too long before I'll be able to drive her properly.

unkel

Nice one, congrats!

746watts

Iridium wrote: »

Thanks a million folks. Passed the test anyway so it hopefully won't be too long before I'll be able to drive her properly.

well done. happy motoring. (fellow Yaris driver)