I have a 7 year old Cavalier in excellent shape that only has about 52,000 miles on it. I live within walking distance of my job, shopping, and entertainment in an urban neighborhood. I don't really like to drive, so for the past year and a half I've only been driving about 20 or 30 miles a week or less. I put less than 3,000 miles on the car last year. I'm afraid of causing rust or other damage to the car by letting it just sit there. Is there a mininum number of miles I should drive the car per week or month just to keep it in good working condition? What's the best way to take care of a car you don't use that much?
2007-03-17 02:11:54 · 6 answers · asked by Jane 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
about 25 miles a week will do it.... I recommend this be in town 35 MPH stop and go
it is necessary to keep the fluids circulated thru the tranmission/differential assemblies, oil circulated thru the engine and also to get the exhaust hot enough to burn out any moisture...
this will prevent rusting out the exhaust system from the car just sitting...
oil circulated thru the motor/trans/differential protects the gaskets and seals from drying out by coating them with oil on the inside
on brakes it will clean any rust/moisture build up off the drums and rotors and keep brake fluid lubricating the seals
Car Collectors and Enthusiasts do this to the cars they keep...
Used car dealers often do this also to protect their investments (many do not know that this is done it is part of the process of rotating cars on the lot to make it look like they're selling lots of cars too...)
Walt
2007-03-17 02:49:14 · answer #1 · answered by Ronk W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You want to keep the gas tank as full as possible to prevent moisture from condensing inside of it.
You should run it enough to get the oil hot at least once every two weeks. This can be done by idling the car for a half hour in the driveway, but it would be better to drive it on a half hour trip at least once every two weeks.
There are solar powered trickle chargers that can help keep the battery charged.
The most severe treatment a car can have is being started and driven frequently on short trips where the oil in the crankcase never fully heats up as moisture and other corrosive impurities will build up in the oil and corrode the metal surfaces.
2007-03-17 02:21:53 · answer #2 · answered by Bear 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well friend rust never sleeps so driving it won't change that. make sure u keep it maintained. and yes time requires maintenance. change the coolant every year. oil every 6 months and tires inspected for weather cracks. tires need to move to avoid rotting. don't use armor all on the tires as it softens the rubber and helps it to rot. samee for vinyl. keep it covered or garaged.that is the best thing u can do is garge it. don't change ur driving habits. keep the tranny in good shape. service it every 3 years. have the brake fluid pressure drained and replenished as brake fluid absorbs moisture and allows rust to exist in the lines.have the fluid change in ur brake system every year. and have it detailed every year at a shop where their products will not breakdown the vinyl tires and upholstery. let's see this car in 30 years with 60000 miles on it. and make sure your coolant hoses are changed every 3 years.. rubber rots as well. 30 miles a week is fine.
2007-03-17 02:22:21 · answer #3 · answered by spotlite 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I never heard of a minimum number of miles. I think you should use the car, at least once a week, long enough to heat everything up to operating temperature. That should be at least one half hour of running/driving without shutting off the engine.
2007-03-17 02:23:30 · answer #4 · answered by regerugged 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bear, the first responder, has fully answered your quesiton. The only thing he missed is that you should not idle a car that long especially when heat. And the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) system does not work at idle, only part throttle cruising. This is the system that evacuates the evaporated water inside the crankcase (along with other particulates).
2007-03-17 02:39:46 · answer #5 · answered by Jason h 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Peugeot 306 D-rapid. Its a one million.9 rapid Diesel engine producing 90BHP. Its quite low-fee to insure, very stable on gasoline, i might say approximately forty 5 - 50 MPG. Its no longer quickly, yet its rapid adequate to overhaul wisely. they have some faults, yet no longer something important. customarily electric ones, yet whilst your valuable with a screwdriver, they are extremely elementary to repair. you may get first rate ones for £1500. make certain it has provider history and don't be positioned off by intense mileage, nicely appeared after fashions can circulate on for over 200000 miles!
2016-10-02 06:48:08 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋