24-02-2005 05:26									#1
	Car Question Remove this text

Any mechanics or engineers here?

A teacher I know lives about a 15 minute walk from her school but drives to work every day. She says someone told her a car must be used every day or it will eventually break down from disuse. Is this true? I bought my truck just before I left the country for a month and the car dealer started it once a week for me.

	24-02-2005 05:28									#2
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quote: She says someone told her a car must be used every day or it will eventually break down from disuse. Is this true?

The clue is at the very start of the quote.

	24-02-2005 05:49									#3
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its not bad advice to take your car out on the freeway occasionally and get it up to speed to help blow out carbon that can accumulate from city driving, but every day? Hehe... If you dont need it to go somewhere, let it sit until you do need it. If you live in a cold climate it helps to start it up and let it run a while every week or so just to keep the battery charged up. Weaker batteries are prone to going dead in winter conditions and it ain't fun to jump start a car in 20 degree weather. But disuse can be a problem, seals need to be lubricated and water plugs can start rusting when the engine sits a long time, so there is some merit to keep the car in running condition.

We let our suburban sit for about 5 years and all I had to do to get it going was replace the battery and knock off the wasp nests around the carburator, so even the gas left in the tank will remain stable for a long time. But at some point it breaks down into a turpentine-like substance.

	24-02-2005 11:43									#4
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Thanks for the help. I didn't think it needed to be started every day. Obviously a rumour started by the oil companies . . . . .

	24-02-2005 22:36									#5
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yeah she needs a better escuse for that.

like worried about getting mugged etc.

I would recommend once a week. It's good to rotate the tires as well, especially in climates such is mine. But that probably only needs to be done every few months.

I've heard of people who only used their cars once a week, and they last a very long time.

my recommendations is once a week.

	24-02-2005 22:41									#6
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quote: Originally posted by Dissident my recommendations is once a week.

TRANSLATION: "The figure I have plucked out of thin air is once a week"

	24-02-2005 23:02									#7
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exactly

	25-02-2005 08:07									#8
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quote: Thanks for the help. I didn't think it needed to be started every day. Obviously a rumour started by the oil companies . . . . .

Oh boy...

	25-02-2005 08:08									#9
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You know you want to Berz!!!!

	25-02-2005 09:20									#10
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quote: Originally posted by Berzerker Oh boy...

It was a joke . . . . . .