Community Chat

[AuntG]

That must be why whenever we've purchased a car, the salesman says someone will bring it up for us to test drive. They probably have to jump start the car considering there are 400 vehicles on the lot.

Since our Safer At Home program was instituted, DH takes his SUV one week and mine the next, being that he has to go to an essential job, according to his company. 

[Jannygaz]

And a very big thanks to the OP.  I went out and sure enough, my car started but the battery was sluggish.  Let it sit for a half hour and it was even harder to start. Drove it this afternoon and will check it again for a start.  I so appreciate this post and passed along the suggestion to several people who never even thought to start their cars.

[jannabelle1]

This is a really good reminder. I take my car out once a week for a short trip to Walgreen's to pick up prescriptions and to my local grocer. Hubby's Explorer hasn't been driven much, so I go out and start it once a week and let it run for a bit. We have a Halo charger and used it once this winter and it was a life saver. We also have AAA, but we were on our way to a doctor's appointment so once again relied on the Halo. I wouldn't be without it.

[suzyQ3]

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@Venezia wrote:

@GingerPeach- I just told my DH this the other day and he looked at me as if I was being a bit crazy (he's not mechanically minded, is an understatement).  We've been ordered to stay home (by our Governor) until May 1st, but I said we still need to drive the cars and my truck at least once a week to keep the batteries charged.

I hope people remember that and that you need to drive it at least a few miles, not just let it sitting idling in the drive.

Like others, we can go out for essentials (grocery store), so we can use it for that.

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Then I'm in big trouble. @Venezia. Even before this stay-at-home mandate, I was pretty much driving only about a mile to my supermarket.

[DiAnne]

Good reminder - thanks.  I will put it on my list of one thing to do tomorrow!

[Venezia]

@suzyQ3 - Even a mile of driving is better than just letting it idle. The point I was trying to make is that professional mechanics will tell you that simply letting it idle can do more harm than good. Just driving a few miles once a week should keep things lubricated (not just the battery charged).

However, I'll refrain from trying to offer any more helpful advice in what will be a difficult time for most of us.

Good luck to everyone.

[suzyQ3]

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@Venezia wrote:

@suzyQ3 - Even a mile of driving is better than just letting it idle. The point I was trying to make is that professional mechanics will tell you that simply letting it idle can do more harm than good. Just driving a few miles once a week should keep things lubricated (not just the battery charged).

However, I'll refrain from trying to offer any more helpful advice in what will be a difficult time for most of us.

Good luck to everyone.

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I always appreciate you advice, @Venezia