Car Not Being Driven
 

I may have to stop driving my XC40 for a while in a couple of months. So I was wondering how long you can leave a car unused without doing any damage to it.

The car will be garaged while it's not in use.

Any insight would be appreciated. :teeth_smile:

The biggest risk is the battery going flat. If you have a battery charger use it every 2 weeks to keep it topped up.

Make sure the tyres are kept pumped up to required pressure and if you can run the engine a few times.

Don’t apply the handbrake as this may seize on.

Excellent advice from Whyman. You might want to pump the tyres up to around 40psi to help prevent flat-spotting. And when running the engine, make sure the garage is very well ventilated.

I would (but dont trreat this as perfect advice)

Leave it to idle and warm up every so often, just to make sure things get moving in the engine.

when warm put blowers on hot and cold and then with and without AC just to ensure it gets a workout

if possible move the car back (or forward) a natch, just to release brakes and the handbrake wont be on the same section.

use windscreen washers, only a bit but again to stop things settling too much and drying out that could block pump/pipes

move all windows up and down to ensure they are not sticking and open all doors (and bonnet) so if they were wanting to stick this will move things around.

Excellent advice already given, don't use the handbrake when it's parked for long periods of time though, engage 1st or reverse (or if it's auto use P instead) and before laying it up, open all the doors, boot/tailgate, bonnet and sunroof and smear silicone grease on the seals.

Let it soak in for 15-20 minutes and gently wipe off the excess, cleaning the mating areas on the bodywork as you go. Also lift the wiper arms off the screens and slide plastic bags or cling film over the blades to prevent them sticking to the glass - some delicately applied silicone lube spray on the blades then wiped off will also help.

Use some silicone spray lube in the door lock barrels and latches to lube and waterproof them. Windo all the windows down and squirt silicone lube into the tops of the rubber channels where the glass slides up and down. Give each a good soaking then "exercise" the windows up and down several times.

Make sure all the drain holes in the sills and doors are clear, likewise the heater air intake plenum under the bonnet (this has separate drains, usually each side on the bulkhead) and also the sunroof drain holes.

When you run it up once or twice a month, run the Air-con for at least 20 minutes each time to help prevent the seals drying out and losing the gas. Also change the engine oil and filter before laying it up and if it's due, the antifreeze as well.