Unused Vehicle: Start Annually or Do Nothing?

[viscous]

Regarding an unused vehicle, would it be better to bring the oil to operating temperature annually, or just let it sit indefinitely? I realize some people here use elaborate storage procedures (fogging, etc.), which unfortunately will not be used in this case. Also, the vehicle cannot be taken on a "good, long drive," as might be recommended. The choices are as follows:

1. Once per year, drive around at about 15 mph until oil reaches operating temperature. (How long is necessary? 30 minutes? 60 minutes?)

2. Let the vehicle sit indefinitely without starting.

Which option is better, and why?

 

[charbaby]

Neither is a good option !
Vehicles need to be run. If you are storing this vehicle in a dry garage is better than keeping it outside.
Need more information. What vehicle, year etc.? What is your plans for this vehicle? You may be better off selling it.

 

[Lubener]

Third option....sell it.

 

[billt460]

Neither is a good option !
Vehicles need to be run. If you are storing this vehicle in a dry garage is better than keeping it outside.
Need more information. What vehicle, year etc.? What is your plans for this vehicle? You may be better off selling it.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

There is no way I would only try to start it once a year. As was said. Vehicles need to be run.

 

[demarpaint]

Add me to they need to be run list, or put it up for long term storage the right way. One of my biggest concerns would be over time fuel goes bad, even with Stabilizer added. That can cause very expensive problems. There is a lot of info on the web on how to store a car for a year of more. I would look into that if you plan on keeping it.

 

[atikovi]

I've had many cars in storage, often for more than 5 years. If they are in running condition, I try to start them every 3 to 6 months and let them run 30 to 60 seconds. You want the oil to circulate long enough to pump up the lifters and keep the seals from drying out as well as to prevent the fuel pump motor from seizing up.

 

[The_Jeff]

Why are you unwilling to go for a good long drive? Insurance reasons? Preserving insanely low mileage?

Annual intervals are too long, you'd be better off running it at least several times a year if not monthly to keep the seals wet.

Gas goes bad, as said, as do tires and batteries.

You're barking up the wrong tree with oil. It will last forty years in your just sitting there scenario. You would want to keep up on antifreeze and brake fluid though-- they prevent corrosion by depleting themselves.

Look around at cars that have been stored for 20-30 years and the tragedies that befall them. Typically they can get the engine running. But the interior, glass, trim, wiring take a beating.

 

[Cujet]

The more often you run it, the better. I'm sure you know that the fuel you choose to store it with does matter. Sta-Bil fuel preservative "might" help too.

If it were my vehicle, at a very minimum, I'd choose an ethanol free fuel, add Sta-Bil and run as much as time allows.

Also, VP racing fuels makes a storage and race car fuel product called C9 (and Sunoco makes a similar product called OPTIMA) both are around 95 octane, non oxygenated (no ethanol) and will last FOREVER in most cases.

Both are around $90 for 5 gallons now. Might be worth driving it until empty and dumping in 5 gallons of storage fuel.

 

[4wd]

I spent/spend half my life overseas and make sure someone starts or drives my vehicle every 2 weeks …
I don’t see how its good for various systems/tires to not be functioned periodically …

 

[fisher83]

I'd either take it for a nice long cruise once in awhile or just sell it.

 

[Rand]

Need more details.
Driving something once every 2 weeks to work is alot better than it sitting for months or years.

 

[atikovi]

Why are you unwilling to go for a good long drive? Insurance reasons? Preserving insanely low mileage?

Probably a few reasons.
1) Yes, no insurance or registration. If he's storing the car long term, no reason to have either, at least liability.
2) Car may have had the coolant drained, battery removed, be up on blocks, so not practical to drive.
3) Car may be stored behind a bunch of stuff or other cars that would have to be moved in order to drive.

 

[AutoMechanic]

For my vehicles that sit the ones that run I just start them up and let them run for about 20 minutes or so. I’ll occasionally drive them but not often. I just do that too prevent the gas from sitting so long and when it gets close to empty I just drive it out and fill it up.

Any vehicle that sits running or not is going to have issues eventually. I don’t advise leaving it sitting without running it.

 

[billt460]

Running it for 30 seconds will do more harm than good. All you're going to accomplish is generating a bunch of condensation.

If you're going to run it, do it until both the coolant and oil are up to operating temperature. And the thermostat opens, and circulates coolant through both the radiator and heater core.

 

[atikovi]

Running it for 30 seconds will do more harm than good. All you're going to accomplish is generating a bunch of condensation.

That's the premise behind someone that drives to work every day just a few miles away. Not valid in this situation when you run it once every few months.

 

[billt460]

That's the premise behind someone that drives to work every day just a few miles away. Not valid in this situation when you run it once every few months.

What's the difference? A very short run time generates condensation that sits instead of being burning off. In the oil, and in the exhaust. It's not going to matter in the least if the car is moving or not.

Letting it sit for months after a 30 second run only makes matters worse.

 

[sk_pete]

That's the premise behind someone that drives to work every day just a few miles away. Not valid in this situation when you run it once every few months.

fuel and water vapors will stay in oil, making problems. even more so in cold motor.
if you start it, be sure it gets hot. that is my rule. because of that i make more miles than i would normally do.

 

[atikovi]

The difference is the amount of condensation formed by driving it to work for a short distance every day for 6 months will be 100 times as much as starting it in storage once every 6 months for 30 seconds. Modern oil is designed to handle some fuel dilution and condensation.

 

[UncleDave]

Start and warm up monthly if you can - it's easier on your valve springs.

 

[viscous]

Thanks for the replies folks. Please note that it's not necessarily practical to sell a vehicle just because it's unused.

Sounds like Option 2 is out. Will probably go with Option 1, but increase starting frequency to twice per year based on advice given here. Note that battery is maintained and fuel is stabilized. Obviously not ideal, but may have to suffice.