Minimum Driving to keep all systems go
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 236
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From: Mobile Alabama
Minimum Driving to keep all systems go
Is once a week for say a 10 mile drive enough driving to keep everything working as it should. I've always heard cars are meant to be driven. Seems I only get to drive my Vette once or maybe twice a week. Any hard and fast rules on this subject?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
First, just wondering, why do you have it if you only drive it once a week? Do you race it on occasion?
If that is all you drive it, take it out let it warm up a little then do a spirited run getting on the highway. You dont have to floor it but the engine work a little bit.
If that is all you drive it, take it out let it warm up a little then do a spirited run getting on the highway. You dont have to floor it but the engine work a little bit.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,960
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From: WI
I drive mine less often then that. 10 miles probably isn't enough to really warm up the car. You don't want to idle it a lot either. Keep in mind many short trips are harder on a car then few longer trips.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The car can easily sit longer than that with few problems. My 02 will sit in the winter for 2 months without being driven.
What you should do if the car sits for extenede periods is to drive the car until all of the various fluids get to their normal operating temps. That should be able a 15-20 minute drive at a variety of speeds.
The idea is to get temps up to where any moisture/condensation is burned off or pushed out of the engine. This also includes the exhaust system. It takes awhile to get the motor oil up to temp where any condensation inside the motor is evaporated. Same with auto trans fluid and gear oil. After a drive like that, you can put the car away for awhile.
It's also a good idea to run both the heater and the A/C. Run the defroster and that will cause the A/C to pull excess humidity from the car. The A/C running will help keep seals from becoming brittle and cracking.
What you should do if the car sits for extenede periods is to drive the car until all of the various fluids get to their normal operating temps. That should be able a 15-20 minute drive at a variety of speeds.
The idea is to get temps up to where any moisture/condensation is burned off or pushed out of the engine. This also includes the exhaust system. It takes awhile to get the motor oil up to temp where any condensation inside the motor is evaporated. Same with auto trans fluid and gear oil. After a drive like that, you can put the car away for awhile.
It's also a good idea to run both the heater and the A/C. Run the defroster and that will cause the A/C to pull excess humidity from the car. The A/C running will help keep seals from becoming brittle and cracking.
