How often to startup vehicle now that working from home?

[Gadget X]

FWIW, I don't drive my 94 much. Since I got a company van several years ago, the ex has been removed from daily driver status. In fact, I actually had it parked for almost 3 years without starting it at all! Still had a half tank of gas in it. Had to jump it, obviously, but it fired right up and ran just fine! I wouldn't recommend that, though. I do also use only 93 octane gas in it, not sure how much that has to do with the longevity.......

 

[hbalek]

the Ford Pass app prompted me today to go out and start the engine to keep the battery healthy. not sure if it's actually detecting something or they just sent that to everyone. i have been going out for supplies at least twice a week, though not going more than a couple of miles.

This message was sent to all users on the FordPass app and it's reminding people staying home more than usual to remember to start their vehicle. Many typical car owners don't know that the battery drains when not driven for weeks. It was a COVID-19 courtesy message from Ford similar to the one last week saying we're here for you...

 

[blwnsmoke]

the Ford Pass app prompted me today to go out and start the engine to keep the battery healthy. not sure if it's actually detecting something or they just sent that to everyone. i have been going out for supplies at least twice a week, though not going more than a couple of miles.

This was not a prompt to do it, this was just a news bulletin per say (kind of a best practices notice). I got it as well and had just driven for 2 hours prior.
This was not a prompt.

 

[Ironworker40]

A good battery should last a couple months in warmer weather, obviously if this was winter it would be much shorter.
One thing is if the alarm is set it dramatically reduces the time you can let it sit. I have a 2012 Camaro with only 75000 mi on it. If I lock it and set the alarm battery will only last a month maybe 6 weeks. So keep that in mind. If you drive it every two weeks when you start it drive it for 20-30 min or put a charger or Tender on it If it sits longer than a month with the alarm set and you will be fine.
As far as stabilizer in the gas we all should be fine without adding it. Its cheap and will not hurt if you feel comfortable do it. Gas in a vehicle tank lasts a lot long than a snowblower or lawnmower due to the fact that there is a lot more of it, keep your tank nearly full, and the tanks in modern vehicle are sealed a lot better than a small engine tank.
If we have to stay at home for that long that the fuel turns bad we have way bigger problems to worry about.

 

[Thomas Thayil]

A good battery should last a couple months in warmer weather, obviously if this was winter it would be much shorter.
One thing is if the alarm is set it dramatically reduces the time you can let it sit. I have a 2012 Camaro with only 75000 mi on it. If I lock it and set the alarm battery will only last a month maybe 6 weeks. So keep that in mind. If you drive it every two weeks when you start it drive it for 20-30 min or put a charger or Tender on it If it sits longer than a month with the alarm set and you will be fine.
As far as stabilizer in the gas we all should be fine without adding it. Its cheap and will not hurt if you feel comfortable do it. Gas in a vehicle tank lasts a lot long than a snowblower or lawnmower due to the fact that there is a lot more of it, keep your tank nearly full, and the tanks in modern vehicle are sealed a lot better than a small engine tank.
If we have to stay at home for that long that the fuel turns bad we have way bigger problems to worry about.

You got that right

 

[J_C]

All else equal, a battery discharges faster in warm weather than cold, regardless of it needing more current, and less able to produce as much current to start the vehicle when cold.

I'd start the vehicle at least once a week. It is better for a starter type battery to not drain any lower than necessary. The plates don't quite reform into the same condition they started in, so a deeper discharge ages a battery more than anything else.

There is zero difference in how gas ages in *properly functioning* small equipment vs an automobile, is still a matter of temperature and amount of air in the tank to oxidize it. However, small equipment tends to be carb'd and a simple carb at that so the engine is less tolerant of degraded fuel. Some can be adjusted, and some not.

The EPA requires all gas powered equipment to have a sealed tank, and has for decades. If yours is very old (warped or inflexible plastic) or dust/debris got sucked into the cap valve, it might get stuck open but otherwise it is sealed by a one way valve that only allows air to get sucked in to displace the gas drawn out by the engine.

 

[dejen3303]

I recommend a battery tender. I've only been making short trips once or twice a week for the last month and it has taken it's toll on the 2018 Platinum's battery. it's not running long enough to fully charge.

 

[J_C]

^ I only got about 3 years out of the factory battery in my '14 with regular use. Ford cheaped out on the capacity tier and cheaped out again by only putting a group 59 battery in, instead of the larger group 65 (which yours might have, at least the Sports did come with a group 65 IIRC). I switched to group 65 when I changed the battery and did without the battery insulator cover that won't fit the larger battery. I suppose I could take up sewing and expand the cover to fit, but not really worth the bother, temperatures aren't that extreme here.

 

[Dale5403]

Check out BatteryMinder. Avoid Battery Sulfation with a Desulfating Battery Charger | BatteryMINDers
I used one on my 2001 Ford Ranger where the battery would go bad after about a year because it sat so much. Once I used this on a battery that would go dead after a week it revived it so that it worked great for about 6 more years.

 

[jr230]

good time to use stabilizer under current times if not using plus ethanol is in most gas .as for battery the passive alarm plus computer and if you have fob or keyless all use juice. and anytime the battery is drained to point it will not start you take life out of the battery. so 2 weeks max start it warm up
ride it at least 5 miles . will be worth if you want long life in car or battery also put a/c on in your ride keeps compressor in shape
and reg gas in most is good but if you left it for a yr or more half filled first tank put high test . and dont go mor than 1 yr oil and filter reguardless of miles

 

[peterk9]

I recommend a battery tender. I've only been making short trips once or twice a week for the last month and it has taken it's toll on the 2018 Platinum's battery. it's not running long enough to fully charge.

Welcome to the Forum.
Do like I do. Every now and then take a longer route to the store. It turns a 5 minute trip into a 15 minute one.

Peter

 

[Will1122]

Not an expert, but these are the things you should be considering when leaving a car to sit for long periods of time:

1. battery - lead acid batteries age best when they are stored at top voltage
2. "engine parts" - oil will settle in bottom of pan, and when sits for long time, stuff starts to "rust" and oil picks up water and other contaminants that are usually "burned off" - be sure to get car up to operating temp regularly (e.g. 20 min trip)
3. tires - sit in one spot too long, will get flat spots
4. brakes/rotors - rotors will get rusty (not a big deal)