How Often Should I Drive

[ajswenson]

So, I recently moved and now live around 25 miles from my job. I really do not need a truck to commute back and forth to work, so I picked up a little car. My question is how often should I drive my truck? Is there an amount of time that a vehicle can sit before adverse effects start. I was thinking I would take it out once every week or so.

 

Oh and for all of you guys that are going to get smart and say something to the extent of 'why have a truck if you aren't going to drive it' save it. I love my truck it just isn't practical to commute with it.

[obxdiver]

I am doing the exact same thing you are. Don't worry.

I drive a Toyota Camry during the week.

I drive my SD baby to work only on sunny Friday's and during the weekend.

I have a 20 mile commute each way to work.

You are fine if you run it once/week.

This makes it smell new longer too.

[2005LT]

I agree, once a week will keep everything in check.

 

Iwanted to do this as well. I've got a 10 mile commute which isn't bad but its all the extra after work stuff that adds up. My insurance company wanted another $825 per year to insure a second vehicle and for that reason, I didn't go through with it.

[Wires]

I am doing the exact same thing you are. Don't worry.

I drive a Toyota Camry during the week.

I drive my SD baby to work only on sunny Friday's and during the weekend.

I have a 20 mile commute each way to work.

You are fine if you run it once/week.

This makes it smell new longer too.

 

+1. Mine is 2 years old and still has that new smell. I guess it helps when it sits in the garage more, doesn't get greasy french frie smells as well.

[mxdirtrider56]

Yea once a week will be fine. My 94' stays in the garage and I drive it on the weekends. It was my Grandfather's and my dad bought it from him and I learned to drive in it and drove it for a while after that before getting something else. Wouldn't sell it for any amount of money because of the sentimental value so we try and keep the miles low. 16 years old and only 150,000 miles. Runs GREAT!

[dewfpo]

I've had mine since Dec. of '04 and frequently it goes 6 weeks between runs, but it starts right up each time on the first spin. Haven't had a single problem. I've done this with several vehicles for many, many years and have never had single a problem. Just use it when you need it and don't worry about it. Just starting a truck once a week to run it does more harm than good unless you actually drive it and get everything good and hot for a while. I've NEVER had a problem, even in the dead of winter (-20F).

 

DEWFPO

[pm26]

I drive my truck maybe once a week, sometimes only once every two weeks. I try to start it every week though just to circulate fluids. I drive a lot - if I drove only my truck, I would probably have at least 160k miles on it right now. As it is, I have only 16k.

[cghbuilder86]

Just 25 miles to work. Not bad. I have 40 miles one way. I drive my truck every single one of those miles. And everywhere else I go. I thought about a small car, but I'd rather pay the extra bucks in gas and drive my truck. I wouldn't want to be caught dead in a small car. haha Just the way I am. My silverado has spoiled me, it's just too cool

[GasHog369]

agreed ^

[pm26]

I prefer to drive a midsize car in city traffic. It is more nimble, narrower, and uses a lot less fuel (25 MPG city vs 15 for the truck). I drive a Mazda 626 V6 5 speed with nearly 271k miles on it. I bought it new, so all the miles are mine. Still runs strong, and it is quicker than the truck.

[pm26]

Just 25 miles to work. Not bad. I have 40 miles one way. I drive my truck every single one of those miles. And everywhere else I go. I thought about a small car, but I'd rather pay the extra bucks in gas and drive my truck. I wouldn't want to be caught dead in a small car. haha Just the way I am. My silverado has spoiled me, it's just too cool

 

Except for the refueling part.

[Daryl LBZ]

Yea once a week will be fine. My 94' stays in the garage and I drive it on the weekends. It was my Grandfather's and my dad bought it from him and I learned to drive in it and drove it for a while after that before getting something else. Wouldn't sell it for any amount of money because of the sentimental value so we try and keep the miles low. 16 years old and only 150,000 miles. Runs GREAT!

 

 

 

 

My 94 Z28 only has 107,000 Miles on it!

[KMGZ400]

i wish i could drive so little... after purchasing my 2001 silverado, in 1 year of owning it i put 31,000 miles in it in one year. i dont drive the suburban its a garage queen but i start it once a week just to circulate everything. im gonna try and keep it forever, i want it to be like the way the 85 suburbans are now, big, slow, old, gas hog, badass truck.

 

the 2004 4.8 i have only bought it becasue i got and ABSOLUTLEY AMAZING deal on it. the story behind this random uneccsary truck is that the old womans husband down the road who owned it died and the poor old woman did not want this truck. she called us up first because she knows we are a chevy family and asked me if i wanted to buy her husbands silverado which she knew nothing about. i had seen it before and knew it was pretty nice so i figured ill go take a look. well its a 2004 silverado LS ECSB charcoal gray 1500 4.8 with 78,000 miles. she said she would sell it to me for 5500. now, i have absolutley NO reason to own another truck, i had the money and figured, why the hell not, and thats why i have this truck. i have no idea what to do with it other then go try and sell it again.