Car genuinely off the road

redsteveireland

My car(and me) is going to be parked up for at least 6-8 weeks, is there any benefit from starting it up every couple of days or is this a bad idea without driving the car?
What kind of problems could I come across 2 months down the line if I can venture out again?

Tefral

redsteveireland wrote: »

My car(and me) is going to be parked up for at least 6-8 weeks, is there any benefit from starting it up every couple of days or is this a bad idea without driving the car?
What kind of problems could I come across 2 months down the line if I can venture out again?

Id try start it at least once a week to throw the oil up to the top of the block.

Things to note is that depending on the car, brakes can seize to disks or calipers can become sticky.

Are you parking it out in the open or in a garage? A good wax would help also.

2 Months or less isnt an awful long time to leave a car sitting up but I would definitely start it at least once a week.

redsteveireland

cronin_j wrote: »

Id try start it at least once a week to throw the oil up to the top of the block.

Things to note is that depending on the car, brakes can seize to disks or calipers can become sticky.

Are you parking it out in the open or in a garage? A good wax would help also.

2 Months or less isnt an awful long time to leave a car sitting up but I would definitely start it at least once a week.

Oh out in the open, and it's hammering down rain as I type. I'd love to give it a good clean/wax but I'm not physically able to do it, hence no driving for at least 2 months.

Tefral

redsteveireland wrote: »

Oh out in the open, and it's hammering down rain as I type. I'd love to give it a good clean/wax but I'm not physically able to do it, hence no driving for at least 2 months.

Ah, no problem then, not the end of the world, if your parking it on a public road your still liable to pay tax, but obviously not if on a driveway or other private land.

Make sure you dont park it under trees or anything like that.

I would just leave it, especially if you have access to jump leads if the battery goes flat. 2 months is nothing for an idle car, starting it for a bit every so often won't achieve much unless It's actually driven.

redsteveireland

cronin_j wrote: »

Ah, no problem then, not the end of the world, if your parking it on a public road your still liable to pay tax, but obviously not if on a driveway or other private land.

Make sure you dont park it under trees or anything like that.

Its parked in the driveway, tax expires this month so I might get away with not paying for March at least:-D
Not a tree in sight either.

Esel

No real benefit from starting the engine every few days, imo. Check the tyres are properly inflated - you don't want to have to face into changing a wheel! If the car has not been well-maintained, consider not putting the handbrake on, as it just might seize. If leaving it off, ensure the car is in gear, and chock a couple of wheels if it is parked on a slope.

Del2005

cronin_j wrote: »

2 Months or less isnt an awful long time to leave a car sitting up but I would definitely start it at least once a week.

2 months is nothing.


We left a car sitting up for years and it started on the 2nd go with a fully charged battery, we forgot about the kill switch 1st try:o.

OP

Make sure the tyres are hard, if you've a pump handy over inflate them slightly to avoid flat spots.

Don't start the car at all, leave the alarm off and just lock the doors. Or even better take the battery out.

Even if the brakes seize, once you get it started if you stick it in gear and rock the car the brakes will free up.

CiniO

There's no point in starting it every week if it's only two months.

Leave it like it is.
If it's not on a hill, leave it on gear without handbrake.
Make sure there's plenty of pressure in the tyres. Even inflate them more then recommended by manufacturer.
Unplug the battery. No need to take it out of the car. Just unplug (-) minus cable.
That will prevent car from unnecceserily draining the battery.
Most cars will drain battery to 0 after 2 months.
Suspend your insurance - you will save some money.

Miscreant

I recently did this with a car that had been sitting in my driveway for 12 months. Battery was completely flat but I had left the handbrake off and pumped up the tyres every 3 months or so just to keep them slightly over-inflated. I bought a booster pack thing from Aldi for very little money and started the car last week. The only problem I found was that the ABS light went off a few times while I was trying to get the rust off the brake discs but once that was clear it was fine again. I took the car for a nice long drive and it has been perfect since.
I would think that 2 months will not do the car any harm by my experience.

Del2005

Miscreant wrote: »

I recently did this with a car that had been sitting in my driveway for 12 months. Battery was completely flat but I had left the handbrake off and pumped up the tyres every 3 months or so just to keep them slightly over-inflated. I bought a booster pack thing from Aldi for very little money and started the car last week. The only problem I found was that the ABS light went off a few times while I was trying to get the rust off the brake discs but once that was clear it was fine again. I took the car for a nice long drive and it has been perfect since.
I would think that 2 months will not do the car any harm by my experience.

I'd do an oil and filter change to be safe after 12 months sitting. Most cars recommend annual services or x mileage anyway.

redsteveireland

Suspend your insurance - you will save some money.

I had wondered if that was possible alright. Should be safe enough with the battery diconnected.

Miscreant

Del2005 wrote: »

I'd do an oil and filter change to be safe after 12 months sitting. Most cars recommend annual services or x mileage anyway.

Yup, got her serviced the next day as it had fallen due in August 2010