Weekly Use of new CX-9

[buddy938]

I started work out of state and I only use my 2012 CX-9 during weekends when I come home. My wife is a stay home mom and rarely get out of the house. I told her to at least once (like Wednesday) to start the car and have the temperature gauge reach the normal operating temp and shut it off.

Any thoughts or ideas I can do to prevent future premature problems in engine/transmission etc? And is this starting once in a weekday enough?

P.S. I brought my old car with me to this new job and I will never think of bringing my CX-9 here...

 

[Fubar]

Instead of just turning it on and reaching operating temperature, is there any way she can actually take it for a drive and work through the gears? I would also consider switching to a synthetic oil.

Also, how many miles do you put on it on the weekends?

 

[POODLES]

When you go on vacation for a week and don't take your car, it sits with nobody doing anything to it.
If you were leaving it for a month or more at a time, there are a few things you could do!
Sitting for a week is not even long enough to get a flat spot on you tires. You could always get a trickle charge for the battery. If you really want her to start the car and let it get up to operating temperature, then let her move it too. Use of the brakes will remove rust buildup from moisture and or rain, moving the car will keep the moving parts of a car lubricated. lets just say a sitting car will have more problems, but like I said, you go away on vacation for a week, maybe 10 days, and don't start your car and usually it's fine!

 

[ceric]

I would suggest
1) use synthetic (slow degradation of oil over time)
2) take it out for a spin once a week

About flat spotting of tire, the wider (and lower profile) the tires, the more likely it happens.
The 255/40R18 on my old BMW-5 got flat spot in 12 hours.
I felt vibration at 40-50mph for first few minutes of driving every morning.

 

[buddy938]

Thanks to the replies. I'll keep your recommendations to mind.

Fubar - I put in around 100 miles every weekend.

 

[T.Narley]

I agree, once a week is fine. I manage a fleet of 10 vehicles, it's not unusual for one of them to go a week at times between being used. Aside from the flat spots on the tires they are fine. The flat spots go away within a few miles of driving.

 

[IslandTractor]

I would personally not do anything for a car that is used at least once a week. If you insist on starting it why not just install a remote starter? If you use a radio frequency remote you can ask your wife to hit the button on Wednesdays. It will shut off itself in about 10-15 minutes after warming up. If you want total control, get a Python remote with the iphone feature which allows you to start the car by clicking on an app button.