Kodax Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Currently, I am overseas for about 5 weeks and I decide to leave my car in an underground garage. However, I gave my keys to my girlfriend. I told her to start the car once a week until I get back. Do you think that is a good idea? I read some forums they said it isn't good to start your car periodically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hakgwai Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 not a good idea. if you're just gonna start the car, the engine wont run smoothly until you drive it if she does start up the car, it should be driven for at least 10 mins. and the more high way miles the better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishbone Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 The only thing that might happen is a weak battery when you get back. Although I've had cars sit for that long and they started right up. If this situation might come up in the future, just get a battery tender if possible and keep her plugged in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Tell her not to do anything with the car, just let it sit there. Like the others said, all she'll do is get things warm enough to have moisture condensate in the engine and exhaust. If she's not going to drive it. Don't even start it. Your's is a 09 so there should be not battery issues. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kodax Posted August 23, 2010 Author Share Posted August 23, 2010 Oh crap, she has already started the car like 3 times since I am away. Anything I should look out for when I go back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 No. I guess you don't want her to drive it ? You'll be home in a couple of more weeks. Check the oil, then drive it for at least 10 miles. As said highway miles would be better. FWIW I should add here, I start my 86 F150 once a week and move it around the lawn so it won't kill the grass, I have been doing this for years. Sometimes I move it 10 ft and shut it off. Takes about 30 seconds or less. It goes to the dump once every 3-4 weeks, 7 miles on way. The truck gets less then 2000 miles a year. Get's its oil changed once a year. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAC5.2 Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 I left one of my cars sitting for 6 months under a tarp, without a transmission in it. Rolled it into the garage, put a trans in it, a front mount on it, new suspension, headers, and a few other bits, reconnected the battery, fired right up, drove it for a few hours, changed the oil, and drove it for another many thousand miles. [URL="http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/proper-flip-key-interesti-159894.html"]Flip Key Development Thread[/URL] "Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped." - E. Hubbard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kodax Posted August 23, 2010 Author Share Posted August 23, 2010 Yeah, I do not want her to drive it. I am slightly paranoid and borderline OCD. I was thinking of bringing it in for a good oil change as I am going on a road trip when I am back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Yep, at least the oil change. Cheap insurance. Wait, you don't change your own oil...how OCD can you be ? I'm almost 56y/o and have never let anyone else change my oil. I even changed it this past Jan 4 weeks after surgery for a broken collar bone. (4 places) 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kodax Posted August 23, 2010 Author Share Posted August 23, 2010 Yep, at least the oil change. Cheap insurance. Wait, you don't change your own oil...how OCD can you be ? I'm almost 56y/o and have never let anyone else change my oil. I even changed it this past Jan 4 weeks after surgery for a broken collar bone. (4 places) Well, my car is still under warranty. If I do change the oil by myself, there might be a possibility that SOA might take it that it is my fault that caused any problems that might arises. I rather just take it to the dealer and have to do it. If the dealer screws up, SOA won't be able to blame me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Nope, when I had my second tranny rebuild the dealer asked if I've had the service done. I pulled out my little red note pad with all the things I've done, date, mileage and what was done. They photo copied it and Subaru covered it. I didn't keep reciepts just wrote down what I did. Just keep a record. I still have the note book from the 1992 civic that I bought new that's in my avatar. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kodax Posted August 23, 2010 Author Share Posted August 23, 2010 Nope, when I had my second tranny rebuild the dealer asked if I've had the service done. I pulled out my little red note pad with all the things I've done, date, mileage and what was done. They photo copied it and Subaru covered it. I didn't keep reciepts just wrote down what I did. Just keep a record. I still have the note book from the 1992 civic that I bought new that's in my avatar. Really? Thats all you need? I always thought they wanted something more official than just a piece of paper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draco-REX Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 You don't need to periodically start the car. Add some fuel stabilizer and run it it enough to make sure it's mixed and in the engine, them park it someplace dry and hook up the battery to a maintainer of some sort. I recommend the Battery Tender (green box). I park my STI during salt season and in the spring I turn the key to ON for 10 seconds to re-pressurize the fuel system. Then it starts up like I drove it the day before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Really? Thats all you need? I always thought they wanted something more official than just a piece of paper. Nope just that little $.59 note pad that will fit in a shirt pocket. Just keep a good record of what you did. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTTuner Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Normally if I'm going to store a car for 6 months or more I change the oil & disconnect the battery before it gets "pickel'd". +1 on not starting it. Just let it sit and make sure you use stabilizer in the gas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hakgwai Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 if i store my car for more than a month, i always fill up the gas too. sth about not having water in there if it rains. ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boymk123 Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 just let your gf drives your car period! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 Not a big problem, but I suggest that she should take it out for a drive once per week. That way there is a lower risk of getting brakes stuck and too rusty rotors and all kinds of annoying effects like tires getting a flat section and so on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kodax Posted August 24, 2010 Author Share Posted August 24, 2010 Well, it isn't entirely I don't trust her to drive. It is more like she doesn't have a proper license. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Samson Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 Fill it with gas, lock it and forget about it. I used to leave for 6 weeks every 6 weeks for a few years straight, and that's really all that needs to be done....if its more like 6 months then you need to start worrying about the battery/fuel/tires/etc. but 5 weeks is really nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burnout8488 Posted August 25, 2010 Share Posted August 25, 2010 1) Do not let female specimen drive or move car under any circumstances 2) Let it sit, locked, and let it be. Best thing for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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