Maintaining rarely used cars

herculesksp · 19th June 2007, 08:58

Hi,

I bought an 800 last week and after the first week of practicing driving for about an hour a day, I dont think I would be using the car that regularly from now on, except for the on off occasions or rainy days.

I wanted to know how I can keep the car maintained in a good condition? I heard that the battery would drain out if I dont use it regularly. Also I dont want the moving parts getting clogged with dirt and grime as our area is very dusty and the car would get covered in a coat of mud within 2 days.

I heard that I have to start the car about once every 2 days. Is this enough? Should I just start and leave it idling for a few minutes or should I free rev it for a while or should I drive it around for a few minutes? How do I keep the car and the battery in good condition if I dont use it regularly. I dont want the car giving problems by not cranking up when I take it out the day I really need it.

Thanks and Regards,
kuku

abhilashvk · 19th June 2007, 09:19

I feel that starting once a week and idling for 5 mts is good enough for a new car. You can also remove the battery terminals if not used for a long time. Also invest on a Genuine Maruti car cover because they fit the car perfectly well and avoid all the dust getting in.

dadu · 19th June 2007, 09:59

Every weekend use your car for your weekly shopping/ outing, that should be good enough.

Or just drive around for 5-10 min

gd1418 · 19th June 2007, 11:06

As dadu rightly said, a round trip of 10 kms per week shall keep your baby purring nicely.. if your car has an ac then switch it on as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadu

Every weekend use your car for your weekly shopping/ outing, that should be good enough.

Or just drive around for 5-10 min

2fast4u · 19th June 2007, 11:29

also keep your tyre pressure 2 to 3 psi above the normal prescribed to avoid flat spots since you will be using once a week.

CrAzY dRiVeR · 19th June 2007, 11:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadu

Every weekend use your car for your weekly shopping/ outing, that should be good enough.

Or just drive around for 5-10 min

Maruti vehicles dont create much trouble.

Even my old M800 was rarely used during its first two years (during weekends only). gave no problems at all.

V-16 · 19th June 2007, 14:03

In Addition, get a Battery Cut Off Switch put somewhere in the Glove box of the car. When turned to off it disconnects the battery power so it'l save you the trouble of removing and fixing the terminals manually. It is also called the "Chor Switch" but is not to be confused with the fuel cut of switch. In the rainy season especially, you must run the car once in a week to ten days, to avoid the brakes etc getting sticky and to keep all the moving parts other than the engine, lubricated and working well.

AUTO_CRAZY · 5th July 2007, 21:58

M800 will not create much problem if it is not usd for a long time. There is no way for residual current discharge. ie. even when the car is switched off there are no electrical system that will draw current. That is the reason none of the marutis had no problem. Example for residual current is ...........engine immobilizer , clock , memory of your audio system etc. Removing the negative battery terminal will be the best option. Tyre tend to become hard when left un used. Over inflating will avoid flat spots but if still unused it tends to become hard and affects the drive comfort(harsh and bumpy ride).

19th June 2007, 08:58	#1
herculesksp BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 373 Thanked: 241 Times	Maintaining rarely used cars Hi, I bought an 800 last week and after the first week of practicing driving for about an hour a day, I dont think I would be using the car that regularly from now on, except for the on off occasions or rainy days. I wanted to know how I can keep the car maintained in a good condition? I heard that the battery would drain out if I dont use it regularly. Also I dont want the moving parts getting clogged with dirt and grime as our area is very dusty and the car would get covered in a coat of mud within 2 days. I heard that I have to start the car about once every 2 days. Is this enough? Should I just start and leave it idling for a few minutes or should I free rev it for a while or should I drive it around for a few minutes? How do I keep the car and the battery in good condition if I dont use it regularly. I dont want the car giving problems by not cranking up when I take it out the day I really need it. Thanks and Regards, kuku
	() Thanks

19th June 2007, 09:19	#2
abhilashvk BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bangalore/Calic Posts: 367 Thanked: 32 Times View My Garage	I feel that starting once a week and idling for 5 mts is good enough for a new car. You can also remove the battery terminals if not used for a long time. Also invest on a Genuine Maruti car cover because they fit the car perfectly well and avoid all the dust getting in.
	() Thanks

19th June 2007, 09:59	#3
dadu Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,803 Thanked: 462 Times View My Garage	Every weekend use your car for your weekly shopping/ outing, that should be good enough. Or just drive around for 5-10 min
	() Thanks

19th June 2007, 11:29	#5
2fast4u BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: pune / Bahrain Posts: 488 Thanked: 7 Times View My Garage	also keep your tyre pressure 2 to 3 psi above the normal prescribed to avoid flat spots since you will be using once a week.
	() Thanks

19th June 2007, 14:03	#7
V-16 Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: mumbai Posts: 4,594 Thanked: 950 Times View My Garage	In Addition, get a Battery Cut Off Switch put somewhere in the Glove box of the car. When turned to off it disconnects the battery power so it'l save you the trouble of removing and fixing the terminals manually. It is also called the "Chor Switch" but is not to be confused with the fuel cut of switch. In the rainy season especially, you must run the car once in a week to ten days, to avoid the brakes etc getting sticky and to keep all the moving parts other than the engine, lubricated and working well.
	() Thanks

5th July 2007, 21:58	#8
AUTO_CRAZY BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 86 Thanked: 6 Times	M800 will not create much problem if it is not usd for a long time. There is no way for residual current discharge. ie. even when the car is switched off there are no electrical system that will draw current. That is the reason none of the marutis had no problem. Example for residual current is ...........engine immobilizer , clock , memory of your audio system etc. Removing the negative battery terminal will be the best option. Tyre tend to become hard when left un used. Over inflating will avoid flat spots but if still unused it tends to become hard and affects the drive comfort(harsh and bumpy ride).
	() Thanks