A question for you guys: is it possible to harm the vehicle by starting the vehicle too infrequently? I live in a metropolitan area and have two vehicles. I drive the old little compact car around town just about every day here and there on short-trip errands--not too worried about that one. But I leave the 4Runner in the garage (which gets to 100 degrees or more most days in the summer, and around 20 degrees on most winter days) for a week or so at a time without starting it, and drive it only on longer highway trips when I do use it. I have always done that with the newer SUV both for gas price reasons and because I figured the less short trip miles put on, the longer the vehicle lasts. Lately though, especially with the sizzling weather we have been having and how hot that garage gets, I have been wondering if there is perhaps some hidden damage being done to seals, gaskets, etc. by sitting in the heat for a week or so at a time unstarted, as well as possible consequences of starting the thing only once a week or so. I suspect that oil flow at start up should be a particular concern for me in this situation, but other advice as to have to ameliorate the damage? Or do I need to change my mind on driving the 4R? Is such a regiment actually doing more damage than good? Anyone given some thought to issues like this and have some good insight? Thanks!
Do I Hurt the Vehicle by Starting It Too Infrequently?
- Thread starter cmj685
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Jeff Kleb
New member
Infrequent Driving
I do not keep my 4Runner in a garage, but still use it as just a "second" car and weekend vehicle. While I don't drive it to work very often (maybe once a week - tops), I make sure that I'll take it out for a spin at least once or twice during the week. I'll drive it at least ten miles so as to make sure it reaches operating temperature for awhile.
In just over six months of ownership, I have just under 5000 miles on it. Even at that, about 1/2 of it is highway miles (better for the truck than city driving).
I don't expect you'll have much trouble with the engine (seals, etc.) if you don't drive it every day. Just don't let it sit more than four or five days at a time. When you do drive it, take 'er out on the open road and let the thing unwind a bit.
Oh, I would also recommend changing over to fully-synthetic engine oil (Mobil-1, etc.) and be sure to change it periodically -- even if you don't drive very many miles. If you drive only 6k miles a year, I would change it every six months for good measure and peace of mind. You might also consider a block heater for the winter months - especially where you live.
:awais:
I do not keep my 4Runner in a garage, but still use it as just a "second" car and weekend vehicle. While I don't drive it to work very often (maybe once a week - tops), I make sure that I'll take it out for a spin at least once or twice during the week. I'll drive it at least ten miles so as to make sure it reaches operating temperature for awhile.
In just over six months of ownership, I have just under 5000 miles on it. Even at that, about 1/2 of it is highway miles (better for the truck than city driving).
I don't expect you'll have much trouble with the engine (seals, etc.) if you don't drive it every day. Just don't let it sit more than four or five days at a time. When you do drive it, take 'er out on the open road and let the thing unwind a bit.
Oh, I would also recommend changing over to fully-synthetic engine oil (Mobil-1, etc.) and be sure to change it periodically -- even if you don't drive very many miles. If you drive only 6k miles a year, I would change it every six months for good measure and peace of mind. You might also consider a block heater for the winter months - especially where you live.
:awais:
charlier180
New member
LeeRunner said:
During the summer months my 4Runner is used mostly on weekends for towing. At the beginning of the summer I was concerned about both the UV rays and heat build up in the 4Runner which is in the sun most of the day when it sits in my driveway. I bought three of the truck size silver reflective sun shades. I use one on the windshield and cut the other two to fit all the side windows held in place with suction cups. The liftgate glass is shielded by my house. I have found that using these sun shades does a good job to keep the temperature inside the 4Runner much cooler than before.
>MR2turbo4evr<
New member
LeeRunner said:
Yes I read that 90% of the engine wear occurs during start up.
