Ideal frequency of driving low use vehicles?

[Crusader]

Now that we have Civic # 2 our 4runner and Toyota truck remain parked for up to 2 weeks at a time. Auto-Rx cycles will take years at this rate. Granted we are saving a bunch of gas running 2 Civics but what harm is being done letting the Toyotas sit? Only issue I've noticed is flat spotting of the tires. Seems to dissipate after 20 or 30 miles of highway driving. The other issue is to keep engine oil circulated and that would include differential fluids and auto transmission fluid as well. Owners manuals often typically indicate to use the AC each week in the winter to keep lubrication moving in the system. Could that possibly be ideal for the rest of the lubricating fluids? Almost forgot weekly or bi-weekly running keeps the battery charged up.

Other than tire flat spots I'd say that going beyond 2 weeks is less than ideal according to my less than scientific seat of the pants indicators.

Input?

 

[moving2]

Crusader- I'm in the same boat with a 4x4 and a commuter car. I tried every 2 weeks, and my seat of the pants feeling agrees with yours. Battery discharge, the sound of the engine, overall feel is that once a week is a lot better than once every 2 weeks. I have not noticed flat spots on my tires, though.

 

[Cutehumor]

thought about selling one of the toyotas?

 

[JHZR2]

keep a battery trickle charger/tender on if possible. Running is good, but what I think is bad is if the OIL is not up to temperature fully when used. Not getting to this point (oil takes much longr to get up to temp than the water) means that youre getting additional condensation in the oil, not good...

Id also consider running an oil with a stronger add pack - warranty likely will not be an issue on seldom-used cars, as youll just time it out before an issue arises.

JMH

 

[eljefino]

My trucks have sat 2-3 weeks all winter with no ill effects.

Dead of winter, I don't really do any home improvement, and only drive to the dump. Trash on porch, kept cold, doesn't smell, so it sits there. Trucks sit quietly through snow melt cycles.

Dodge dakota tolerated this for 4 years before I sold it for more than I paid for it. F150 is also tolerating well.

I did notice on the dakota, that I had to lightly depress the gas pedal when cold starting, despite that it was fuel injected. Suspect summer-blend, low evap pressure fuel to blame.

If you fear flat spots, park somewhere flat, stick it in neutral, and manually roll the thing a foot without starting it up.

Expect rusty brakes at first stop that will self clear.

Cars sit months on end at shipping ports and dealer lots when new with few ill effects.

 

[drivewaytech]

My old work truck (77 GMC w/ 350) usually sits about 2 months between crank ups. Unfortunatley, it rarely runs more than 15 minutes or 5 miles when it does get cranked. Therefore, I do worry about condensation building up in the oil, especially since it's cheap dino that gets changed once a year or so. I'm not sure if I should crank it more often and let it idle for a few minutes or just continue with what I'm doing. What causes more damage? Cold start every week or 2 with sort run time or cold start every couple of months but running a little longer.

 

[Spitty]

I would let it sit. My current Toyota sat for 20 years with no ill effects (other than Battery, Tires etc) if the engine had been cold started every 2 weeks, it would be worn out by now.

 

[Crusader]

Just noticed this thread at the PCMO forum. Internal corrosion during storage

My suspicions seem to verified.

Just because you don't notice internal corrosion in your vehicle that sits doesn't mean corrosion is not taking its toll or actually happening. I'm sticking to my guns 2 weeks of sitting max, 1 week is better, and yes they get driven for well over 40 minutes at highway speeds when they are run. No current plans to sell my Toyotas. I use the truck for my part time landscape biz 7 months out the year. My 4runner is my back up to my truck for this use and our annual camping vehicle. When I get more flush with cash I will sell both Toyotas and buy a new Toyota Tundra crew cab

 

[drivewaytech]

Spitty, I think I am going to remain in the "let it sit " camp. Before I got this truck, it sat untouched in a field for 15 years. The guy that gave it to me said he put in a battery, a couple gallons of gas and cranked it up. 6 years later, the truck still runs smooth as glass. Believe it or not... one time I drove the truck up to the parts store and back not realizing that I had pulled one of the plug wires off for some reason. I did not notice any skip in the engine. Not bad for something that sat for that long. My biggest concern is what is the condition of the oil that it's circulating. Perhalps I should adopt the practice of changing it twice a year regardless of how many times it's cranked.

 

[Gary Allan]

I'd go to an "every 4th day" type rotation (up or down as needed). It is funny ..as Cute Humor suggests ..only in America can you have these types of problems.

Now that I do very low mileage ..and my wife still does 18k/year ..she alternates between my jeep and hers. We still miss our minivan for groceries and the occasional need she had for it to move stuff around at her work. Jeeps aren't convenient for any type of cargo holding ..even a limited amount.

 

[Bamaro]

Two weeks is nothing, I wouldn't sweat it.