How to Maintain a Car You Do Not Drive Often
A car that sits still still needs attention, just less often and in different places.
Keep it driven occasionally, keep fluids and tires checked, and tell your insurer how it's used
A car that doesn't move much has different problems than one that does. The battery drains, tires develop flat spots, fuel can go stale, and seals dry out. None of that is fixed by driving faster or farther when you do drive. It's fixed by driving regularly enough, even short trips, and by checking the car between those trips.
The other half of this is your insurance. Insurers set your rate partly on how much you drive, and a car that mostly sits is a different risk than one in daily commute traffic. If you haven't told your insurer the car's use has changed, your policy may not reflect what's actually true about it. That's worth fixing regardless of your age, but it matters more the less you drive.
How rarely you drive it changes what can go wrong
A car driven a few times a week has different needs than one started once a month. The battery is usually the first thing to fail on an infrequently driven car. Batteries lose charge sitting idle, and short trips don't run the alternator long enough to recharge what the car used starting up. If you're going more than a few weeks between drives, a trickle charger or battery maintainer plugged in at home solves this without you having to think about it.
Tires are the next thing. A car parked in the same spot for a long stretch can develop flat spots where the tire rests on the ground, especially in cold weather or on concrete. Moving the car occasionally, even just a few feet, helps. So does checking tire pressure before you drive, since tires lose air whether the car moves or not.
Fuel is worth knowing about if the car goes unused for a long stretch. Gasoline degrades over time, and a tank that sits for months can cause starting trouble or engine issues. If you know the car won't be driven for a while, running the tank low before parking it, or keeping it full with a stabilizer added, are both reasonable approaches. Ask a mechanic which makes sense for your car.
If the car sits long enough that you're not sure it will start, have it looked at before you rely on it. A car that hasn't moved in a long time can have problems that aren't obvious until you're trying to drive it somewhere you need to be.
What your insurer needs to know about how you use the car
Insurers ask how a car is used because it changes the risk. A car driven daily on a long commute is exposed to more miles, more traffic, and more chances of an incident than one that mostly stays parked. If your driving has dropped off and your insurer still has you listed as a regular commuter, your policy may not reflect your actual use.
Tell your insurer if your mileage has changed significantly, if the car is now a second car you drive occasionally, or if it's stored rather than driven through part of the year. What they do with that information depends on the insurer and the state, so ask directly what updating your usage does to your policy before assuming it helps or hurts.
Don't let the policy lapse to save money on a car you're not driving much. A car still needs to be insured if it's registered and kept where it could be on the road, and a lapse can cause problems later, both with the state and with future insurers looking at your history. If you genuinely won't drive the car for an extended stretch, ask your insurer about options for that specific situation rather than just letting coverage end.
Questions people ask about this
Is it bad to let a car sit for months without driving it?
It's not ideal, but it's manageable if you prepare for it. The main risks are a dead battery, flat-spotted tires, and degraded fuel. A battery maintainer, moving the car occasionally, and either running the tank low or adding a fuel stabilizer before parking it long term all help. Have it checked by a mechanic before driving it any real distance after a long rest.
Do I need to start my car every day if I'm not driving it?
Starting it isn't the same as driving it, and starting alone doesn't solve most of the problems that come from sitting. A battery needs the car driven, not just idled, to recharge properly. If you can, drive it for a real stretch occasionally rather than just starting the engine in the driveway.
Can I insure a car for less if I barely drive it?
Ask your insurer directly, since this depends on the insurer and sometimes the state. Many insurers do account for low mileage, but how they measure it and what it does to your rate varies. Tell them honestly how the car is used and ask what your options are.
Should I take a car off the road instead of insuring it if I'm not driving it?
That depends on your state's rules for registration and insurance, which are not the same everywhere. Some states allow you to file the car as not in operation and drop insurance temporarily, others require continuous coverage as long as it's registered. Check with your state's motor vehicle agency before letting a policy lapse.
What should I check before driving a car that's been parked for a long time?
Check the tires for pressure and visible flat spots, check the battery, and check fluid levels before starting it. If it's been an especially long stretch, have a mechanic look it over first rather than driving it on faith. Fuel that's sat too long can also cause issues, so ask about that if you're not sure how old the gas in the tank is.
If how you use this car has changed, see what it looks like to update your coverage to match.
Find your most recent renewal notice or policy declarations page and check what it lists for how the car is used and how many miles you drive in a year. If that no longer matches reality, call your insurer or agent and tell them directly what's changed. Ask what a battery maintainer or fuel stabilizer costs compared to a dead battery or fuel system repair, since both are small compared to the alternative. If the car won't be driven for an extended stretch, ask your insurer what they offer for that situation instead of simply letting the policy lapse. While you're at it, it's worth comparing quotes to see whether another insurer handles low mileage or occasional use more in your favor.
