Using a car once a month - how to lay it up?
Discussion
I've noticed that I'm using one of my cars only once a month (worst "I have multiple cars" ever post etc etc) and was just wondering what the most mechanically sympathetic way is to leave it parked up for a month at a time. It's a 2009 car that's well-maintained so it's not in any danger of dud batteries or leaky seals etc - but I want to make sure I'm looking after it even though it's laid up most of the time.
My main questions are - what are the general preservation steps to perform? I leave it with the handbrake off but in reverse gear (it's parked on a slight forward incline), I start it up once every fortnight for 10 minutes or so while I check the tyres, lights and fluids. Every month it does at least a 20 mile trip with a run or two to the redline when warm to keep it all working well.
Do I have anything to be worried about? It's obviously a bit sad to see my pride and joy sat in the corner looking unloved, but I do love that car and can't bring myself to sell it. Man maths dictate that it pays for itself on the one drive a month it gets when the sun is out, the roads are empty and I can have a blast exploring the power.
Sorry if I'm not the most coherent tonight, I've just finished my 3rd ale and I've only just noticed they're 6.5%!
My main questions are - what are the general preservation steps to perform? I leave it with the handbrake off but in reverse gear (it's parked on a slight forward incline), I start it up once every fortnight for 10 minutes or so while I check the tyres, lights and fluids. Every month it does at least a 20 mile trip with a run or two to the redline when warm to keep it all working well.
Do I have anything to be worried about? It's obviously a bit sad to see my pride and joy sat in the corner looking unloved, but I do love that car and can't bring myself to sell it. Man maths dictate that it pays for itself on the one drive a month it gets when the sun is out, the roads are empty and I can have a blast exploring the power.
Sorry if I'm not the most coherent tonight, I've just finished my 3rd ale and I've only just noticed they're 6.5%!
rallycross said:
Do nothing except take it for a drive once a month - as long as the immobiliser is not making the battery go flat then you don't need to do anything
This. I reckon starting it up for 10 minutes every fortnight probably isn't great for it either, as the car will be barely warmed up and then you shut it down again.Thanks for the responses guys. I normally let the car idle for 30 seconds and then rev it to 2500rpm for a few seconds, let go, repeat a few times until the coolant's at temperature. The oil isn't near running temperature but I thought it was better than nothing. Happy to leave it alone for the month, I only ran it every fortnight because I didn't want the oil to drain from the top of the engine.
I can't plug a trickle charger in as the nearest plug point has to go through the front door (it's very sealed) or the garage plug point needs a good 10m of extension and I'd rather not leave a charger exposed to the elements outside the car.
I can't plug a trickle charger in as the nearest plug point has to go through the front door (it's very sealed) or the garage plug point needs a good 10m of extension and I'd rather not leave a charger exposed to the elements outside the car.
sebhaque said:
Thanks for the responses guys. I normally let the car idle for 30 seconds and then rev it to 2500rpm for a few seconds, let go, repeat a few times until the coolant's at temperature. The oil isn't near running temperature but I thought it was better than nothing. Happy to leave it alone for the month, I only ran it every fortnight because I didn't want the oil to drain from the top of the engine.
I can't plug a trickle charger in as the nearest plug point has to go through the front door (it's very sealed) or the garage plug point needs a good 10m of extension and I'd rather not leave a charger exposed to the elements outside the car.
Ctek mxs 5.0 trickle charger with a few extension cables..... Job done. Their extension cables are waterproof I can't plug a trickle charger in as the nearest plug point has to go through the front door (it's very sealed) or the garage plug point needs a good 10m of extension and I'd rather not leave a charger exposed to the elements outside the car.
Definitely leave the handbrake off; I once left a Corolla parked up for a month with the handbrake on and it must have warped the discs because it was like I was cadence braking everywhere after that. Drove me nuts.
The only things I do are: trickle charger, leave the car in neutral with a chock behind one of the wheels. I've left cars like this for months. I don't buy this flatspotting the tyres crap either- I've never had this and suspect it may be when you have ancient rubber that's gone hard, in which case you should replace them anyway. Also, I don't start up an engine unless I'm going to drive it.
The only things I do are: trickle charger, leave the car in neutral with a chock behind one of the wheels. I've left cars like this for months. I don't buy this flatspotting the tyres crap either- I've never had this and suspect it may be when you have ancient rubber that's gone hard, in which case you should replace them anyway. Also, I don't start up an engine unless I'm going to drive it.
I bought an outdoor extension lead for mine so I could run the cable from the garage to the car. The plug end is a sealed unit which has rubber seals to keep out moisture etc. I leave that end under the bonnet anyway but it makes me feel better.
Similar to this one:
http://www.diy.com/departments/masterplug-13a-exte...
You could always put a breaker on it too. I run a ctek 5.0 which is a compact unit and easily fits under a packed engine bay too.
Similar to this one:
http://www.diy.com/departments/masterplug-13a-exte...
You could always put a breaker on it too. I run a ctek 5.0 which is a compact unit and easily fits under a packed engine bay too.
1. Estimate the car's annual depreciation- typically 15% to 20% of what you paid for it.
2. Add the tax/insurance/MOT/etc
3. Divide the total by 12, the number of times the car is used each year.
4. Be astounded by the cost of each trip.
5. Sell the car.
6. Enjoy the additional space you now have, both on the drive and in your life!
2. Add the tax/insurance/MOT/etc
3. Divide the total by 12, the number of times the car is used each year.
4. Be astounded by the cost of each trip.
5. Sell the car.
6. Enjoy the additional space you now have, both on the drive and in your life!
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