What are the effects of a car not starting for a long time?
Long term parking of cars (such as exceeding one month) can easily cause various problems and even irreversible damage. The following are specific impacts and response plans.
Long term parking of cars (such as exceeding one month) can easily cause various problems and even irreversible damage. The following are specific impacts and response plans:
Battery system failure
-Question:
-Self discharge of the battery leads to power loss (ordinary lead-acid batteries lose 5-15% of their electricity per month)
-Long term deep discharge causes plate sulfurization, shortening battery life
-Response:
-Start the vehicle and run it for 15 minutes every week or disconnect the negative pole
-Use intelligent charger maintenance (such as CTEK MXS 5.0)
Tire deformation and aging
-Question:
-Long term compression on one side leads to tread deformation (rubber memory effect)
-Risk of accelerated ply failure due to decreased tire pressure
-Response:
-Fill the tire pressure to the standard value+0.3bar (such as standard 2.5bar to 2.8bar)
-Move the vehicle every month to change the tire force point (at least 10cm displacement)
Oil deterioration and precipitation
|Oil type | Deterioration behavior | Risk | Response measures|
|--------------|-----------------------------|---------------------------|-------------------------------|
|Engine oil | Oxidation and acidification, additive failure | Increased engine wear | New engine oil needs to be replaced after being parked for more than 6 months|
|Transmission oil | Layered sedimentation, decreased lubrication performance | Shifting jerks/abnormal gear wear | Replace long-lasting oil before long-term parking|
|Brake oil | Moisture absorption leads to a decrease in boiling point (DOT4 standard moisture content ≤ 3%) | Brake efficiency degradation/air resistance phenomenon | Check the moisture content before parking, replace if it exceeds 3%|
|Fuel | Gel precipitation clogging fuel injector (ethanol gasoline has a shelf life of only 1 month) | Difficulty starting/decreased power | Adding fuel stabilizer (such as STA-BIL)|
Corrosion of mechanical components
1. Inside the engine
-The loss of oil film on the cylinder wall leads to direct metal contact
-Suggestion: Before parking, inject a small amount of oil into the spark plug hole and manually rotate the crankshaft
2. Braking system
-Brake disc rusting and sticking (especially in humid environments)
-Response: Gently press the brake every month to move the vehicle and remove the surface rust layer
3. Metal pipelines
-Internal oxidation and corrosion of brake oil pipes and fuel pipes
-Inspection: When reusing, it is necessary to focus on checking the sealing of the pipeline
Electronic system malfunction
-ECU sleep current abnormality: Some models have a large problem of dark current flow (such as the old Audi A6L, where the dark current should be less than 50mA)
-Moisture in electronic components: humidity above 70% can easily cause mold growth on circuit boards
-Solution:
-Wrap the ECU module in a moisture-proof bag
-Disconnect non essential electrical fuses
Rubber components aging
-Affected area:
-Adhesive hardening of wiper rubber strip
-The sealing strip of the car door/sunroof is cracked
-Brittle transmission shaft dust cover
-Protective measures:
-Use silicone lubricant to maintain rubber parts
-Leave a gap of 3-5mm on the car window to maintain ventilation (with anti rodent measures in place)
External environmental damage
|Damage type | Specific manifestations | Protection plan|
|--------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|Oxidation of paint surface | UV light causes powdering of varnish layer | Car cover+regular waxing (ceramic plating is recommended)|
|Animal Invasion | Mouse Bites/Nesting | Camphor Balls/Ultrasonic Rodents Placed in Engine Compartment|
|Dust accumulation | Blockage of air conditioning inlet | Installation of dust filter screen|
|Chassis corrosion | Snow melting agent/rainwater erosion | Spraying chassis armor (such as 3M 08881)|
Long term parking operation standards
1. Preparation before parking:
-Clean the interior and thoroughly dry it
-Fill the fuel tank with 95% volume of fuel (reducing air contact)
-Enable electronic handbrake instead of mechanical handbrake (anti jamming)
2. Maintenance during parking:
-Start the engine every month until the water temperature is normal (it is recommended to cooperate with battery charging)
-Use a jack to support the chassis and reduce suspension/tire load
3. Re enable the process:
-Check the oil level and chassis leakage first
-Keep idling for 10 minutes after the first start before driving
Key maintenance for different parking cycles
-1-3 months: Pay attention to battery and tire pressure
-3-6 months: Need to change oil and check oil circuit
-More than 6 months: It is recommended to conduct a comprehensive overhaul (including replacing rubber parts, cleaning oil circuits, etc.)
Tip: Long term parking can cause more damage to the vehicle than normal use. It is recommended to conduct a system check at least once every two weeks. If long-term storage is necessary, it is recommended to entrust a professional garage for constant temperature and humidity custody.