irregular use

[42636]

hello everyone, im a new MB owner and this is my first post so be gentle!
I have a 2003 C class coupe. Because its my pride and joy I dont use it as day to day transport. I use buses and my wifes car! Anyway, it can sometimes be up to a couple of weeks in between outings. I allways keep the tank fairly full, its allways cleaned and polished, the tyre pressures are all ok and its parked in a sheltered location at the leaward side of my house. If the time in between is more than a week I start the engine and run the A/C for ten minutes or so and let the engine reach normal temp as well as moving the car a few feet back and forward to stop the discs and pads from rusting to each other. My querie is, am I causing any damage doing all this, is the car "tough enough"

Many Thanks

Sorry, forgot to mention, the name is Dave by the way

 

[sheffmax]

I can't imagine it's doing it any good but it does seem a shame and complete waste of a nice car. I've had my '01 CLK for 3 months, it's filthy, done 4500 miles and smiles when it sees me coming.

My advice: use it for driving not posing.

 

[jaymanek]

I would take it for a drive rather than just starting it up. You will start to develop squeels and rattles if the car doesnt get used for long periods, esp in this weather.

Jay

 

[ant500sl]

Definitely a good idea to take it out for a few miles rather than letting it idle until reaching operating temperature.

When started from cold the products of combustion are highly corrosive and over a period of years can actually eat away at the pistons and bores, this is why manufacturers suggest you drive the car normally shortly after starting as this diperses the corrosive gases while improving warmup time.

Don't worry about doing any damage already as this sort of problem will only occur after many years of repeated idling warm ups.

One very good reason for taking it for a spin I would say.

 

[Francois]

I can't agree more with ant500sl.

A car's engine suffers most when cold. When you let it idle to warm up, it stays cold longer so there is more damage. If you drive around without gunning the engine, it will warm up more quickly and cause less damage.

You also have a good idea with the air con. Running it now and then keeps all the seals and diaphrams moist.

 

[Arnie]

I agree wih the others.

The car is an investment, which needs to be enjoyed by driving. Keeping it as you are, it's only depreciating and you're not getting any fun from using it. Plus, I presume, you are paying Insurance and Road tax. If you only use the car once a week, when you could be using it every day, you are losing out.

With regards to idling, the engine will not warm up properly unless you leave it for half an hour or more. The exhaust system, particularly the rear box will not likely ever reach a high enough temperature to evaporate the condensation that will build up and corrode the system.

The brake rotors too are likely to suffer from humidity and start to rust, as are other parts in the egine bay.

A good drive will keep things ticking and dispell any moisture

 

[sgregory124]

Don't buy a car to leave it parked! That is such a false investment! I agree with everyone else, drive it or risk it prematurely failing on you.

In fact, it may even be politic to take it out and 'thrash-the-crap' out of it once in a while. It'll do wonders for it, trust me, my journey to work is at best a 50mph dawdle but when I do get on the open road I waste no time in jamming it wide open and scaring some wildlife (purely in the interests of science of course LOL).

Simon

1997 C36 AMG