Car left idle for few days - should I start it up or leave it?

musicfan · 09-01-2010 9:28am #1

Hiya
My car has been left idle for the last couple of days, I have not moved it at all or started the engine.

Would I be better off going out and seeing will it start and leaving the engine running for a while without moving it or should i just leave it until the weather warms up a bit.

I am too nervous to take it out on the roads in my area.

Thanks

docmartin · 09-01-2010 9:42am

i start mine every other evening and let it tick over for a half hour, since you say its idle for a couple of days, i'd let it lie until the thaw comes, but i'm no expert

mick.fr · 09-01-2010 9:50am

There is no point in starting your car if you are not planning to drive, other than charging the battery a bit.

Max Headroom · 09-01-2010 10:10am

If you have any concerns about your battery ,go and start it , let it run for a while (15mins)...DONT put your wipers/lights/heater on during charging..do this every day while youre not using it, if its a diesel you'll need a fully charged battery to start it....the high compression makes them harder to start ...
BTW if youre battery's new or good, you need'nt bother ,

musicfan · 09-01-2010 10:20am

Its a relatively new car - have it since March or so, so the battery should be OK?

Its a petrol car.

I don't have any intention of moving it as the ice on our local roads is horrendous.

Esel · 09-01-2010 10:40am

If you mean the car was brand new in March, there should be no problem letting it sit.

musicfan · 09-01-2010 10:47am

Its an '08.....

Esel · 09-01-2010 10:57am

Should still be fine, imo.

Alanstrainor · 09-01-2010 12:14pm

It should be fine, there'd be no harm in starting it, but i wouldn't worry too much if it had trouble starting seeing how cold it's been.

peasant · 09-01-2010 12:21pm

In freezing temps just running the engine for a few minutes does more harm than good.

The engine won't warm through, areas of it will get hot, while others remain cold and internal condensation will form.

Just leave it sitting there, it'll be grand.

hugoline · 09-01-2010 12:26pm

mick.fr wrote: »

There is no point in starting your car if you are not planning to drive, other than charging the battery a bit.

I doubt an idling enginge will add much charge to the battery. If you are worried about a low battery get this and put it on trickle charge over night.

ScumLord · 09-01-2010 12:42pm

I'd start it for a while, an engines natural state should be running. I don't think you'd suffer any problems with such a new car their designed to withstand these extremes the level of engineering in new cars is fantastic.

Esel · 09-01-2010 12:57pm

ScumLord wrote: »

I'd start it for a while, an engines natural state should be running.

Like birds shouldn't be caged, yeah?

kerchow · 09-01-2010 1:09pm

Drove my car yesterday this morning it wouldn't start. Called the AA and they:rolleyes: came and gave me a jump, guy checked it all out said the battery was fine it just got too cold. Have it running now, leaving it for about 40 minsd to runa and then starting it up tonight to leave it to run for another 30 mins or so, this is the advice he gave me when he came out. Also WD40 on the locks to stop them freezing tonight, got that one from BBC this morning!!!!

Big J · 09-01-2010 5:14pm

My car's been sat on the drive for nearly a month. Connected a trickle charger to the battery this morning and after a few second the lights switched from charging to maintaining so the battery is OK. Took it out this afternoon and no problems.

As long as the battery is holding charge just leave the car until you actually need to use it.

Car left idle for few days - should I start it up or leave it?

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