Car to leave on drive for 6 weeks…….

K

Keith666

New member
I have just had full knee replacement surgery and can’t drive for six weeks :cry: , just asking if it’s best to leave in hibernation mode, or start it once a week and leave at idle for while?. My wife doesn’t drive ( only me up the wall) , and I have no family that can take it for a run.
 
Is there an offer here for a kind forum member to take the car for an occasional drive while you recover?
 
I left mine for 6-7 weeks on the drive in summer a few years back when I did my Achilles tender and was in plaster cast and then moon boot. No issues. Started first time.
 
I wouldn't start it every week as it doesn't do anything useful and just pours fuel through the system whilst idling doesn't charge the battery to recover from opening and starting.
No harm in putting it on a CTEK charger if you have one, then it's 100% sure to fire first time.
 
Sorry about your knee surgery. It's a good idea to start your car once a week during long breaks. Helps keep things running smoothly.
 
I left mine for three months during lockdown and she started on the button after that. I got the "low battery" warning obviously, but an overnight charge sorted that out. Battery just over 7 years old now, and still performing nicely. But do make sure the hazard light switch light is out (wait about 10 minutes to check) when you lock it, or your battery will drain in a few days. I disagree about starting the car during that time - unless you can get it up to operating temperature each time (about 20 minutes?).
 
I'm not sure if it is a good idea to start the car and only idle for a short period.
The engine will likely not get fully upto to temperature and all that water vapour in the air drawn into the engine will not be fully 'steamed off' leaving moisture in the engine causing corrosion.

This is certainly the case for aeroplane engines and is a definite no-no (might be different for modern car engines).
I'd just put a battery conditioner on it and leave it is someone else isn't available to give it a 'proper drive'.

ATB
DD
 
I leave my car in storage for 8 weeks at a time every 8 weeks (I work away 8 on, 8 off) and never ever have an issue starting it on my return. Even the start/stop kicks back in after a short drive home

The only thing that might happen is the tyres will change pressure slightly, that’s the only “issue” I ever get and it’s remedied quite easily!
 
As everyone has said don’t idle the car, my only advice would be to stick a couple of extra PSI into the Tyres to avoid flat spots (although unlikely to happen in 6 weeks) don’t forget to deflate once you are driving again!

Wishing you a speedy recovery.
 
I recently left mine for 4 weeks. Simply parked up with the tracker on. Car started fine, then even utilised the stop/start within a couple of miles, so I guess the car had a reasonable amount of charge left :)
 
Thanks for all your positive replies, advice and personal experiences. I’m just going to leave alone on the drive and hope six weeks flies by 😊
 
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