How often to run the truck when infrequently used?

[Michael621]

Summer is here, and using the Silverado every month or so for towing the 5er.

I also used to use it for long work trips to avoid the hassle with charging stops with the EUV every month or so throughout the winter. 

Now, I purchased a new Blazer for work trips cause the 2500 was too big and was a parking hassle at my destinations.

Long story short, the truck will be only used 3x a year in the summer, and the rest of the year it will sit in the garage. So the question is, how often should I get it out on the road and run it for an hour or so?

 

 

[KARNUT]

27 minutes ago, Michael621 said:

Summer is here, and using the Silverado every month or so for towing the 5er.

I also used to use it for long work trips to avoid the hassle with charging stops with the EUV every month or so throughout the winter. 

Now, I purchased a new Blazer for work trips cause the 2500 was too big and was a parking hassle at my destinations.

Long story short, the truck will be only used 3x a year in the summer, and the rest of the year it will sit in the garage. So the question is, how often should I get it out on the road and run it for an hour or so?

 

 

Once a month works for me with stabill in the tank. One that’s been around the longest is 22 years old that’s been on that schedule for 18 years. The second one was 12 years. Yes it’s on a tender. I’ll add it’s usually 18 miles after warm up.

Edited June 11, 2023 by KARNUT

[UWSkier]

Start it up and let it run every couple weeks.  I use the On-Star remote control to do that when I'm overseas for extended periods (usually a month or more annually).  I'll start both my truck and my wife's car and let them run to get up to temp.  Side benefit is it fumigates all the spiders and creepy crawlies in the garage. 

 

[newdude]

Don't just start it and idle it.  Actually drive it.  Helps keeps the brakes from setting up (pads sticking to the rotors), keeps the tires from flat spotting really bad, and actually lets the engine/transmission have a good proper warm up to burn off any moisture in the engine/fluids/lubricants in the engine, diffs, transfer case and transmission.  

[Grumpy Bear]

I have a strict NO SALT policy for my good stuff. Trickle charger over the winter and in a garage. Run time is dead as a door nail. Tires date out on some of these before they wear out. I do a spring service and a fall service. I drive what I drive in between. Some of these are over two decades old. When I do drive them however, they get driven more than down the block. A day trip or two. That means I change oil twice a year even if I only put 200 miles on the unit. Power bleed on time. That sort of thing. Wash and wax as many times as it gets used. But hey....I'm nuts. @newdude is as spot on as a fella can be for what your doing. 

[Michael621]

Thanks guys, sounds like the best thing to do is take it out on an hour long road trip every month. I appreciate the advice!

[nards444]

Id sell it rent from enterprise when I need it or uhaul. for three times a year.

 

But if you live in winter climate, its best to let it sit,  starting it idling for however long just creates condensate and really isnt productive

[Leonardo Willi]

Sounds like I might look like a high miler' compared to you going forward. 13,700 on my 16' recently traded. Didn't sit inside but our rule was driving it every couple weeks, keeping full of gas and washed every 4-6 weeks. In winter, where we used it when snowy, and washed it sometimes twise a week. Changed oil once a year. last time in Mar, less than a 1000 miles on last change.

 I sold farm equipment for 17 years - I can say with absolution, sitting doing nothing is the worst thing possible. If it sits too long, squatters will move in  

[Z45]

Driving it once a month, still would put a battery tender on it while its parked or you may go to use it one day and the battery is dead.   NEVER start it and just let it idel, worst thing you can do, IMO> 

[Randal Scott]

While I was not driving because of medical issues. My sister could it to work once every 4 to 6 weeks which was a 40 mile around trip. 

If it's going to sit for a long time. Use a battery tender. Don't just start and run for awhile. Moisture gets in the oil and exhaust. Like said the brakes will rust and stick. Which is expensive to fix. I learned that the hard way one year with my 2003 Silverado.