Barely used 1999 explorer

[sparc5]

I have a 1999 V8 explorer XLT with only 38,500 miles. I'm the second owner, that I bought it in September of 2002 with 30,000 miles. This is the third car in the family that was suppose to tow a RV ( popup). Just wondering what damage or what can happen to this truck for lack of use. I love this truck and don't want to part with it but am I doing it a disservice for not using it . I use it once every three month just to change the oil. The wife doesn't want to drive it because it's longer (about a foot) than her 4runner
( she has trouble parking). Since her 4runner is the daily driver and my 93 4runner 5spd is the weekend/gopher car truck the '99 doesn't get much action. Can a truck go bad for lack of use?

 

[xxScapegoat]

well i dont know **** about cars, but im guessing that if its stored in a garage and taken care of, and maybe started/let run every now and again... it should be fine.






---cue someone who knows about cars to make me look like an idiot---

 

[Chew_12]

xxScapegoat why do you post when you dont have an answer?

Yes if you dont use your truck for extended periods of time bad things will happen without maintence. Make sure you drive your car ATLEAST once a weak. You will build carbon and other crap in your engine.

 

[shaggsta]

not to mention you will hurt it's feelings, inducing anxiety and depression.

Really though, you may notice things going wrong that you wouldn't expect with such low mileage, such as seals going bad etc. Stuff also degrades over time, not just miles.

Get out, drive it, have fun with it, the Explorer is a great truck

 

[briwayjones]

Sitting for long periods of time without use is also bad for the electrical componets. Switches, window motors that kind of stuff. For what ever reason they don't like not being used for long periods of time. And like the other guys said it's bad all around seals other stuff and what not.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Depending on where it is, you may have a problem with rodents and such. A lot of people have had mice and others that crawl up in the engine bay and chew at the wiring. The seals are things that can kind of "dry out" and will start to leak if sitting around too long. Also fuel lines and other lines may rust, which will cause a leak. Basically, what everyone will say and has said, drive it! Not everyday, but atleast once a week or every other week.

-Drew

 

[RayLCC]

I have an 82 Escort with 40,000 original miles. The battery has had to be replaced, carborator and electric choke is messed up, the interior plastic is brittle from the decades in the sun and the paint is absolutely shot. All this is from sitting around, not from abuse or use. I agree with everyone else. Drive it at least once a week and if its outside, put a carcover on it. The sun can do just as much damage to a car as non-use.

 

[briwayjones]

If you're going to let it sit for more than a few weeks I would also add gas stablizer to the fuel. Todays gas doesn't last very long before it starts to go bad and clog things.

 

[Cheesebrat]

heck, drive the ex and let the 93 4runner sit. the ex is way nicer to drive if you ask me.

 

[metstalker]

( she has trouble parking).

haha dont they all

 

[nascar_intimid]

If you're going to let it sit for more than a few weeks I would also add gas stablizer to the fuel. Todays gas doesn't last very long before it starts to go bad and clog things.

ditto.
also if it is a 4x4 go around the block a few times everyother week and on the straightaways engage the transfer case (only on the straightaways!!) and also stop and engage 4-low for a couple of minutes just to keep those seals moist and the solonoids and valves lubricated...I was going to mention the gas stabilizer also...good call briwayjones

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

Why don't you get rid of the thing? Either 4Runner will be able to do just about anything the Explorer does. Sounds like a case of too many vehicles to me.

 

[jar2187]

A guy that I know has a 96 ex V8 it has 60,000 miles on it. This thing sounds terrible. I drove it a few month ago and it didnt sounds right, sounded very rough. He drives this truck to and from work every day which is only a few miles from his house. I dont think it ever sees the highway. I have a 96 limited v8 awd with 118,000 miles on it, and it runs perfect, the idle is so quite you can bearly hear it running. Its just weird how some people are "ify" about high mileage but then you have a truck with low miles on it that runs like crap. I guess it just has to do with maintence.