Car not driven for long time

[JC888]

Due to the lockdown I am working from home so rarely drive the car. Probably only a few miles a month.

I charge up the battery from time to time, according to my app the car goes into "Sleep" mode so just wanted to make sure the battery is not dead.

Is there anything else that I need to be aware of? Do I need to start the car from time to time and just leave it running?

[Whyman]

If you can do not apply the handbrake or it will rust and seize making it difficult to move.

[Tannaton]

I would run it once a month for about 10 miles to get is properly warm and the brakes free of corrosion. If you store it in a dry garage then maybe do that every 3 months. I'd also give the battery an overnight charge once a month too.

.....and what he said ^^^^^^^^^

[Clan]

Originally Posted by JC888

Due to the lockdown I am working from home so rarely drive the car. Probably only a few miles a month.

I charge up the battery from time to time, according to my app the car goes into "Sleep" mode so just wanted to make sure the battery is not dead.

Is there anything else that I need to be aware of? Do I need to start the car from time to time and just leave it running?

Regarding the battery , Volvos official recommendation is that the Battery must be charged every TWO WEEKS to keep it in top condition . If neglected you will need to charge it for 48 hours or more to de-sulphate it .

[JC888]

Originally Posted by Whyman

If you can do not apply the handbrake or it will rust and seize making it difficult to move.

Good point about the handbrake. It's electronic but I'm sure I'll find a way to disable it temporarily.

[JC888]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

I would run it once a month for about 10 miles to get is properly warm and the brakes free of corrosion. If you store it in a dry garage then maybe do that every 3 months. I'd also give the battery an overnight charge once a month too.

.....and what he said ^^^^^^^^^

It's stored on the drive unfortunately as too big to fit in the garage

I do drive about 10 miles a month but as I have access to another workhorse and WFH mostly, the Volvo doesn't get driven too much.

I suppose on the flipside it's a blessing as I'm keeping the miles low. Things will probably change in a month or two when I'm back in the office (80 miles daily!)

[JC888]

Originally Posted by Clan

Regarding the battery , Volvos official recommendation is that the Battery must be charged every TWO WEEKS to keep it in top condition . If neglected you will need to charge it for 48 hours or more to de-sulphate it .

Ok, I do not realise this. I will ensure I keep to this schedule.

Mine is not a hybrid by the way, just plain old derv.
I've had cars sat dormant before which I use a CTEK battery conditioner every few weeks or so to top up. Never heard about the need to de-sulphate though.

[key76]

I am in the same boat and only done 4k since February, and 2k of that was a holiday we took in September. I have been trying to take mine on a 10-20 mile motorway run every couple of weeks to keep everything moving and charged up.

I’m getting into the office maybe once a month, so go the ling way via motorway there and back to give it a run.

I’m expecting to be home-based most of the time now so this will be my routine for a long time I think.

Does a good job of keeping the miles low though at least. My last car had significant excess mileage and I had to hand back due to negative equity so got stuck with a bill! I wonder if low mileage will help equity at end of term or whether there will be a ton of cars in the same position so it won’t have much impact on residuals.

[JC888]

Originally Posted by key76

I am in the same boat and only done 4k since February, and 2k of that was a holiday we took in September. I have been trying to take mine on a 10-20 mile motorway run every couple of weeks to keep everything moving and charged up.

I’m getting into the office maybe once a month, so go the ling way via motorway there and back to give it a run.

I’m expecting to be home-based most of the time now so this will be my routine for a long time I think.

Does a good job of keeping the miles low though at least. My last car had significant excess mileage and I had to hand back due to negative equity so got stuck with a bill! I wonder if low mileage will help equity at end of term or whether there will be a ton of cars in the same position so it won’t have much impact on residuals.

Lucky you to be able to be home based. My company is/was a strict no home working company but the pandemic changed their perception. Productivity is the same if not higher for most that could WFH. However they are following gov guidelines and most probably would want everyone back next year. Oh well.

Low miles certainly would help equity. I bought mine outright but would normally get another once I hit about 80k miles or so. Because of WFH I estimated that this had extended the need for that by at 8 months.

If only I can get my contract amended to allow WFH, I would get something smaller, and sportier Anyway, I digress...