What happens if car is not driven for more than 3 weeks?
Posted by Healthy_9@reddit | Autos | View on Reddit | 54 comments
I'm going on international trip for 3 weeks. I m worried about my car. Seeking genuine suggestions, how to ensure car is in good condition and battery is not drained.
AvarethTaika@reddit
I've had a car sitting in a garage for several months now. all i need to do is jump it and it'll fire right up. 3 weeks shouldn't be an issue unless it's a hybrid.
TheNewJasonBourne@reddit
Why does it change for a hybrid?
AvarethTaika@reddit
my only hybrid experience is with the Honda CR-Z, which utilises a motor between the engine and transmission to start the car as well as provide boost. on that car, if it's not driven about once a week, the hybrid battery just depletes itself, relying on the (very underpowered when stock) 12v battery to start the car with a traditional starter. sometimes that works but with a Christmas tree dash, sometimes it doesn't.
Fine_Anywhere989@reddit
Mine got to the point where it needed a jump 3x in a week. I traded it in to keep my job. Too bad also, because it was such a good commuter car.
notalottoseehere@reddit
Harder to jump. Basically you need a Toyota garage to restart it if it decides to be difficult.
Batavijf@reddit
I have two Priusessesssss. One is 20 years old, the other is 15 years old. I drive the newest one about once a month. No problems. The older one gets used even less often. Also no problem. Just be sure that the 12V battery (the small one) isn't too old. And don't drive short trips. So, make sure the car is used for at least 30 mins (which to some people is a short trip, I know).
Pit-Viper-13@reddit
Blows my mind they have been around over 20 years now. I remember when they first came out.
Batavijf@reddit
I know right. I bought the oldest one in August 2024. Almost 400,000 kms on the odo. Still going strong with some minor issues (sun visor is a bit wobbly and the cap of the 12V cigarette lighter plug thingy broke off). Water pump was replaced under warranty (recall). Battery pack is still good.
kevan0317@reddit
Prius gang! My 2012 sits for months at a time. It’s paid off and still works perfectly. No reason to get rid of it. Can’t beat these things.
Batavijf@reddit
Same here. I'd love to get a new(er) car and can afford it, but these two cars are just too good!
notalottoseehere@reddit
I have a hybrid, have left it for 6 weeks, no problem. Have left other cars for months. No problem.
teslaactual@reddit
Nothing, it might seem slightly sluggish to turn over at first but that's really about it
That_Tech_Fleece_Guy@reddit
Just unplug the battery
That_Tech_Fleece_Guy@reddit
UNLESS YOU HAVE A CAR THATS LIKE FULL ELECTRIC FEATURES. It will be a pain to get back into it and reconnect the battery. In that case just cross your fingers, leave it connected, and hope you dont have parasitic draw.
Pit-Viper-13@reddit
I will let my “backup” car for month at a time with no issues. I try do drive it to work at least once every 6 weeks, but it’s just fine.
Mean_Green_S197@reddit
I leave my car plugged into one of these about 5 months out of the year when I’m not driving it and it usually starts right up after the winter, if you’re worried about your battery dying. Realistically it should be fine sitting for 3 weeks though so I wouldn’t worry too much about it.
liacosnp@reddit
Get a Battery Tender.
NecessaryEmployer488@reddit
A couple things. Put Pepperrmint Balls around the engine block and around the car to help ensure mice or rodents don't move in. Sometimes rat bait I use depending on where the car is parked.
Agreed on getting a battery starter just in case it is dead. Your car should start right up anyways.
Unplug USB charges from the cigarette lighters.
DexRogue@reddit
Buy a battery maintainer, CTEK is a great brand, otherwise you're fine for three weeks. I park my car every winter and aside from adding gas stabilizer to the fuel tank I don't do anything special.
If your car has a way to prime the engine without turning it over, I'd recommend doing that prior to starting it when you get back. This allows oil to get around the engine so you have minimal metal on metal. For my car it's pressing the brake and gas pedals down fully and pressing start it will run for 15-20s then starting it like normal.
The-onli-one@reddit
My grandpas old truck has been sitting for a little over a year on a battery tender since his health was declining. Got in it the other day to check on it and it fired right up with absolutely zero issue.
Artistic_Bit_4665@reddit
3 weeks? Absolutely nothing. I have a truck that I might use every couple months. I just get in it and drive it.
Medium_Banana4074@reddit
My Camaro woke up from its five-month winter hiatus without a problem and I didn't even recharge the battery. Then again, it's a simple car, even if it was built 2012.
Today's cars full of electronics with app connection are in some way always on and depending how they protect the 12V battery when the car isn't used, it may or may not survive for a prolonged time.
Then again, three weeks is not a prolonged time and if the car is dead afterwards, something is wrong.
TheCamoTrooper@reddit
Camaros also have a heft battery lol, waiting for some nice weather to wake the SS up
TheCamoTrooper@reddit
Not sure where you are but here it's still below 0 (-10 days and -20 nights roughly) so I'd take the battery inside to not worry about it but if it's already warm where you are I wouldn't bother with that and car will start fine
jasonsong86@reddit
You will be mostly fine. If more than a month, I suggest disconnect the battery or connect a battery tender to it.
daan944@reddit
Someone will hit it with their car and won't let you know. Source: found my first car like that after vacation, twice.
But on a more serious note: nothing will happen with it. No need to worry.
turd_star@reddit
Throw a trickle charger on and it will be fine
ZattyDatty@reddit
I leave vehicles for months at a time. A trickle charger for an extended period keeps your battery from running flat.
stillcleaningmyroom@reddit
On top of what others have said, it may have a funky smell when you do drive it. If that happens, pull the cabin aor filter, turn it on, turn the fan on low, and make sure it’s set to pull fresh air. Spray some Lysol in the ducts by the windshield where the fresh air enters the system and that will kill the mold and material that develops from not running the car.
roosterb4@reddit
Nothing happens just leave it. It’ll start when you get back.
Substantial_Hold2847@reddit
Most likely it will either catch fire or fall apart from rust and neglect. Have you considered hiring a car sitter?
2ndharrybhole@reddit
If you do that enough times it might not start up ❤️
loulan@reddit
You've never not driven your car for 3 weeks before? That's funny.
Healthy_9@reddit (OP)
Thanks everyone for reassuring positive comments.
kmbxyz@reddit
Nothing happens
redoctoberz@reddit
3 weeks? It will be very dusty and probably need a car wash.
coconutpete52@reddit
Nothing. In 3 weeks nothing happens.
5230826518@reddit
i work at a company with long work trips. even after 3 or 6 months i have never heard of anyone where the car wouldn‘t start. if your battery is fine then you have nothing to worry about.
nopester24@reddit
nothing. it gets dusty
elf25@reddit
Get a jump box from Amazon, charge it up and toss it in the back seat before you leave
Scazitar@reddit
It'll be fine. If it's really cold the battery might die and you have to jump it but we're getting more into spring here so it should be alright.
Jeffreymoo@reddit
Do nothing. It will be fine.
PotatoDrives@reddit
3 weeks is nothing. I've gone months without driving some of my cars. You only have to worry about gas going bad after 6+ months. Your battery might be low/dead, but a quick jump will bring it right back to life.
kstorm88@reddit
Nothing
POSVETT@reddit
Three weeks are nothing, several of my cars hibernate 5-6 months out of a year. If you're concerned about battery, hook up a maintainer/float charger. Inflate the tires to the maximum pressure indicated on the sidewall as an option.
super_starfox@reddit
Most everyone has said the same, but without knowing anything about the car - you'll be fine.
3 weeks is nothing, seriously, don't over think it. I leave cars for far, far longer. Many of us do. Just a couple things, as a chronic car-ignoring person:
Disconnect the negative terminal on the battery. Put a couple gallons/litres of fresh fuel in when you get back. Start it up and let it idle for 20 or so minutes when you return.
That's it. As you didn't specify the vehicle, disconnecting the negative terminal is the best thing BUT just know that if your radio/infotainment system needs a code, make sure you have that.
This will save your battery from drains, from the ECU to audio amps to whatever else is there.
Get home, reconnect the negative terminal, and let the car run and sit idling for 20 or 30 minutes so the ECU can relearn itself, which isn't bad advice no matter what. It's hard to give more advice without knowing the make/model/year, but the biggest thing I find trips people up is not having the radio security key if it's needed.
nopulsehere@reddit
3 weeks? My dad only drives his car once every 3 months. No battery tender or anything else. It is in a garage. But he has 3 cars he does this with. Unless you leave a light on, you should be fine.
InclinationCompass@reddit
Ive gone 5 weeks. Youre fine.
AngryScottish@reddit
Nothing.
Unless you're running E85, even then it's still mostly nothing.
lcohenq@reddit
3 weeks is not a lot for a modern car. You may need a jump if the electronics drain too much, but that has not happened to me with months of not using my miata.
richbiatches@reddit
It forgets you.
Dinosaur_Wrangler@reddit
If you are worried about the battery getting run down you can hook it up to a battery maintainer if you have one, or pull the cables from the battery and tape them with electrical tape, zip tie them out of the way, etc. Your tires may have a bit of a flat spot in them but that really just causes noise and should work itself out after a few miles.
But you’ll probably be fine if you don’t do anything and even if it doesn’t start it’s (almost certainly) nothing a quick jump won’t fix.
opbmedia@reddit
3-4 weeks is fine if your battery isn't super old. You can always disconnect the negative terminal, then battery will hold power for a long time.
JoeMagnifico@reddit
3 weeks should be fine unless it's out in extreme temperatures. I've left mine at the airport that long for an int'l trip....and besides it being filthy when I got back, all was well.