Am i not driving my car enough?

[asifallasleep]

Having issues with my car starting. My mechanic tells me i need to drive the car at least 1 hour a day to keep the battery charged. Always a hard start. Somehow I feel the issue is fuel delivery related.

I drive the car 3 times a week approximately for 15-20 minutes. Should I buy a charger for the battery? Seems like a pain. I've had newer cars that could sit for a week and crank right up.

[firefirefire90]

hour a day? Unless your battery is dying, that is unnecessary. I let my car sit for 3 weeks and it started up(slowly), but easily.

[Scott Sislane]

Mine starts fine after 1-2 weeks of sitting, 2-3 weeks & it's slower. I think cold weather can affect that too. Some people have mounted the trickle charger in the engine bay, so it makes it easy to connect/disconnect the power cord. They come w/ a mounting bracket.

[c.d.iesel]

you offer no facts on your "hard starting" ?

what's been done?

define "hard starting"?

your method of starting the car?

the history(long) of the car

fuel system, ignition, settings, timing, jetting,

compression conditions?????????

this can be caused by 101 things

and.... "I drive the car 3 times a week approximately for 15-20 minutes"?

causes more harm than good

you never completely evaporate or burn off internal condensation

this car needs runs of 30 - 60 minutes, under load, frequent fresh gasoline

added, frequent oil changes to maintain it in top condition

[BillWilliams]

what the others say +1.

Use a Battery Tender - prolongs the life of the battery.

Then you can let the car set until you can really take it out for a ride

[adawil2002]

What the others say +1.

With cars, every time they are started they should run for enough time to completely heat the engine and oil. Starting an older car and driving it for a mile or two and turning off can fracture gaskets and foul plugs.

All my cars start right up, although the KisselKar & Packard take a little longer to wake up after hibernating for 6 months.

[MMII73]

If I let my cars sit for a month I have to prime the carb, but the battery is fine, even with a tired old starter.

[jgerock]

Do you ever drive behind someone that has water trickling out the exhaust pipes? Not just a little bit, but a stream? Lots of condensation inside the exhaust system from not driving long enough to evaporate the water. Thank goodness most newer cars have a stainless steel exhaust system.

In my opinion, you should allow at least 1 hour of driving time with some good highway time to get the operating temp of engine, tranny and rear diff. up. Idling in the driveway won't cut it.

Battery Tender A+

[asifallasleep]

well just as i thought, i changed the fuel filter and now car starts fine.

not sure how to handle the short trips. most drives are to the tennis courts and back or even to the grocery store. i work from home and most times it's short trips around LA. i'm central to everything.

[bueller]

just get out and drive for FUN! no need to have a destination.

matt

[bourkeco]

Is your mechanic a meth dealer on the side... WTF is up with the wifes tales these guys come up with... How old is your bat?? if the starter wont turn then get a new batery/// If it cranks at a good rate and it dosent start, could be fuel could be ignition... BUT no mater what find a new

MEC NIC!!!

Having issues with my car starting. My mechanic tells me i need to drive the car at least 1 hour a day to keep the battery charged. Always a hard start. Somehow I feel the issue is fuel delivery related.

I drive the car 3 times a week approximately for 15-20 minutes. Should I buy a charger for the battery? Seems like a pain. I've had newer cars that could sit for a week and crank right up.