Most people worry about what happens to a car when it is being driven every day. But a car can also develop problems when it isn’t driven at all.
Maybe you have travelled, left town for a while, started working from home, or simply have a second car that doesn’t get much use. After several weeks, you come back, turn the key or press the start button and expect everything to be exactly as you left it. Sometimes it is. Other times, the car has a few surprises waiting for you.
Leaving a car parked for a few weeks usually won’t destroy it, but several things can happen when a vehicle sits unused for an extended period.
The Battery Is Usually the First Problem
Your car’s battery doesn’t completely stop working just because the engine is off. Modern vehicles continue to draw small amounts of electricity while parked. The alarm, immobiliser, clock, computer modules and other systems may still consume power. If the car sits for long enough, the battery can gradually discharge.
A healthy battery may cope with several weeks, but an older or already weak battery can go flat much sooner. This is why you may return from a trip, unlock the car and discover that nothing happens when you try to start it.
Kenya’s warm climate can also shorten the useful life of conventional car batteries, so a battery that was already near the end of its life may struggle after sitting unused.
The Tyres Can Develop Flat Spots
Your car’s tyres are designed to roll, not remain under the same load in exactly the same position for weeks.
When a vehicle remains parked for an extended period, the section of each tyre touching the ground can develop a temporary flat spot. In many cases, the tyre returns to its normal shape after the vehicle is driven for some distance.
Longer periods of storage can make the problem more noticeable, particularly if the tyres are old or underinflated.
Before driving a car that has been sitting for weeks, check the tyre pressures and inspect the tyres. A tyre that has lost significant pressure or shows visible damage shouldn’t simply be driven away.
The Brakes Can Develop Surface Rust
If your car has been parked outside, you may notice a light layer of rust on the brake discs when you return. This is usually normal. Brake discs are exposed metal, and moisture can produce surface corrosion surprisingly quickly.
After driving and applying the brakes normally, light surface rust will generally be removed by the brake pads.
But if the vehicle has been parked for a very long time, or you notice serious corrosion, sticking brakes, unusual noises or the car struggling to move, the braking system should be inspected. Don’t assume every brake problem will disappear after a few kilometres.
Fluids Don’t Stop Existing
Engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and other fluids remain in the vehicle while it is parked. Parking the car for several weeks doesn’t normally cause these fluids to suddenly become unusable. However, a long period of sitting can give you an opportunity to notice leaks that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Before starting the car, look underneath it for fresh fluid. Also check the engine oil and coolant levels if appropriate for your vehicle. If you find a significant puddle beneath the car, investigate it before driving.
Fuel Can Become a Concern During Long Storage
A few weeks isn’t generally long enough for petrol or diesel in a healthy fuel system to become a major problem. The bigger concern is when a vehicle is left unused for months.
Fuel can degrade over long periods, while condensation and moisture can become more relevant in the fuel system or tank. Modern fuel systems are designed to handle normal periods of inactivity, but very long-term storage requires more preparation than simply parking the car and walking away.
So if you’re leaving your car for a few weeks, don’t overcomplicate things. If you’re storing it for several months, the approach should be different.
Rodents and Insects May Move In
This one is easy to forget. A car that sits undisturbed can become an attractive hiding place for rodents, insects and other unwanted visitors. They may build nests around the engine bay or chew wiring, hoses and insulation.
Before driving a car that has been sitting for an extended period particularly in a garage or quiet outdoor area, have a quick look around the engine bay and underneath the vehicle.
Check for droppings, nesting material, damaged wiring or anything else that looks out of place. A few minutes of inspection can save you from discovering an electrical problem halfway down the road.
So, Should You Start the Car Every Few Days?
This is where there is a common misconception. Starting the engine for five or ten minutes and leaving the car idling on the driveway is not necessarily the best way to keep it healthy.
The engine may not reach and maintain its proper operating temperature for long enough, while the battery may not receive enough charging to compensate for the energy used during starting.
If conditions allow, actually driving the vehicle for a reasonable distance is generally more useful than simply starting it and letting it idle briefly.
But if you’re leaving the car for several weeks, you don’t necessarily need someone to start it every day. The better approach is to prepare the car properly before leaving it.
What Should You Do Before Leaving Your Car?
If you know the car will be parked for several weeks, give it a basic check before you leave. Make sure the tyres are correctly inflated, the battery is healthy, there are no obvious fluid leaks and the vehicle is parked somewhere secure and reasonably protected from the elements.
If you expect the car to remain unused for much longer than a few weeks, consider proper long-term storage measures and follow the recommendations in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
And when you return, don’t simply jump in and drive off at highway speed. Take a moment to inspect the tyres, check for leaks and make sure there are no warning signs. Start the engine, listen for anything unusual and give the car a gentle drive before returning to normal speeds.
To conclude, a car doesn’t necessarily suffer just because it spends a few weeks parked. But it isn’t completely unaffected either. The battery can discharge, tyres can develop temporary flat spots, brake discs can develop surface rust, and insects or rodents can take advantage of a vehicle that has been left undisturbed.
For a car that will sit for only a few weeks, basic preparation is usually enough. For months of storage, you need to take more serious precautions. The biggest mistake is assuming that because the car hasn’t been driven, nothing could have changed. Sometimes, the first drive after a long period of inactivity is when the problems finally reveal themselves.