Even if you're not driving your car, it's important to keep it maintained
Here’s What Happens When You Don’t Drive Your Car Often
Updated on Jul. 14, 2025
The battery loses its charge
It might come as a surprise, but your car is still working even when you’re not driving it. “Just like your laptop or cell phone, your car battery is running the computer inside your vehicle at all times,” says Joe Akers, a dealership management consultant at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). If you’re not going to be driving your car for a few weeks, Akers recommends placing your vehicle on a trickle charger. “These chargers continue to supply power to a car battery when the vehicle is not in use,” Akers says. Oh, and don’t forget to remove the phone charger, dash-cam and any other power-consuming devices plugged into the cigarette lighter port. “These devices slowly seep your juice, too,” notes Jesse Yuvali, owner of Jesses’ Garage European Auto Repair in Sarasota, Florida.
Tires get flat spots and lose pressure
Have you ever woken up with one side of your hair flat because you slept on it all night? The same thing happens with tires when you don’t drive: They develop flat spots. “The weight of the car constantly putting pressure on the same part of the tires creates a dent,” says Akers, and it’s something you’ll definitely feel when you get back in the driver’s seat. Tires lose pressure when they sit, too—about one to two PSI per month. Since tires are one of the most important safety features on your car, it’s important to keep the tire pressure optimal. “A quick spin around the block once a week will help avoid this problem,” Akers says. When you’re ready to drive it regularly again, check the tire pressure. And if you don’t want to drive to the gas station to add air, invest in a portable air compressor before your car sits.
Ants move in
People sometimes leave the strangest things in their cars—some completely harmless, others not so much: French fries scattered under the seat and almost-empty smoothie cup are secretly sending out invites to ants. “Remove all garbage, particularly soda cans, food, sugary snacks and so on, as they will attract ants that will find a way to get inside,” says Yuvali. While you’re at it, take out your running shoes and gym clothes. If you don’t, the contents will slowly and quietly brew a stink fest for your return.
Fluids go stale
The fluids in your car are essential for many components. Brake fluid is pressurized, and gives you the power needed to brake. Without power steering fluid, it takes a lot of muscle just to turn the steering wheel. But when a car sits for a long time, fluids get stale and can pool in certain areas. “Older oil won’t lubricate as fresh oil would,” says Yuvali. Motor oil keeps metal components lubricated, preventing metal-on-metal grinding and keeping the engine from overheating. If you won’t be driving your car for a while, run the engine every two weeks for about 10 minutes (or take a short drive) to keep things under the hood lubricated. And don’t forget to change your oil at regular intervals, even if you haven’t been driving your car.
Seals dry up
Yuvali notes the seals within your air conditioning system can dry out when you don’t drive your car, which leads to integrity issues. You can also lose freon, which means hot and sweaty car rides in your future once warm weather hits. “If you rely on your AC system, it needs lubrication, which you can achieve by turning the vehicle and the AC on for ten minutes,” Yuvali says.
Gas tank problems can develop
Gasoline is a fickle thing. “If you leave the fuel tank near empty, it builds up moisture, which isn’t ideal,” Yuvali says. “However, if you fill up to the brim before parking it long-term, it will overflow if the weather gets warmer as the gasoline can expand. Additionally, gasoline goes bad after a short time.” It’s one of those surprising thing car mechanics don’t always mention, but it can have real consequences over time. If your car is sitting with half a tank, fill it up with fresh gas when you start driving again. Or, add an enzyme fuel stabilizer to the gasoline to prevent stale gas. Think of it as a probiotic for your gas tank!
Tree sap can damage your paint
Springtime brings the arrival of tree sap, and if your car is parked under a pine tree you could find a sticky mess on your vehicle when you drive it again. Pine sap is extremely sticky and difficult to remove, and Yuvali says it can be problematic for your car’s paint, particularly if the clear coat (aka protective layer) is damaged already. Remove it with a tree sap cleaner as soon as you notice it, because as temperatures warm up, the sap heats up, which will cause even more paint damage.
Bird poop will accumulate
Bird poop is terrible for your car’s paint because it contains uric acid, and when your car is parked under trees or where birds regularly roost, like utility lines, it can quickly become a real problem. And if you think the rain or snowmelt will take care of the problem, think again. Uric acid isn’t water soluble, which means it’s a nightmare to remove one spot, let alone dozens. And like tree sap, bird poop can penetrate your car’s clear coat. Wash off that poo as soon as possible with car wash soap (not dish soap, which isn’t formulated for cars).
Insurance might lapse
Keep that policy going, even if you’re not driving your car very much or at all. First off, most states require that you carry some form of insurance on your vehicle, says Leopold Linval, a Farmers agent. Yep, even if you’re not driving it. The good news is some insurance companies will reduce rates if you’re not driving. If you do want to lower your rates, you could try raising your deductible, lowering your mileage or shopping around your insurance for lower rates, he says.
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Sources:
- Joe Akers, Dealership Management Consultant at NADA
- Leopold Linval, agency owner at Farmers Insurance
- Jesse Yuvali, owner of Jesses’ Garage European Auto Repair in Sarasota, Florida
