Re: Optima 6 volt red top battery

Posted by TxGoat On 2023/8/15 11:15:35

Starting cars and running them for a short time, especially without driving them, is a very bad practice.

It's hard on batteries, it wastes fuel, and it contributes to carbon deposition, sludging, internal engine rust, oil dilution, crankcase moisture deposition, and exhaust system corrosion, among other negative effects.

If you're going to start it, drive it for half an hour or more, preferabley on the open road at moderate speeds for at least ten miles. More is better.

An engine will not get stuck sitting, even if it sits for years, under any ordinary circumstance.

It can be beneficial to press the brake pedal several times once a month on a car that is in storage. A half dozen applications of the brake will prevent cups and shoes from sticking, and will restore residual pressure in the system, which will help keep cups seated, thus preventing fluid leaks and air intrusion. It's also a good idea to set and release the parking brake a few times.


Note that a car started and garage or driveway run, especially in cool or cold weather, is not warmed up just because the temperature gauge shows some heat.

If you leave a battery on a charger for an extended period of time, you need to use a good quality "float" type charger/maintainer that is intended to be left connected. Most ordinary battery chargers are not designed to be left connected for extended periods of time.