How often should you run the engine

If I start my car I always try to run it until the engine has fully warmed up, before putting it back in the garage. This means that sometimes the engine doesn't run for a week or so. My question is....... "What is the maximum length of time you should leave an engine without running it and is two or three minutes at tickover better than not running at all"? .....as I'm aware that after time the oil film covering the working innards will head south leaving poorly lubricated, metal on metal surfaces. Thoughts appreciated.

Change this If I start my car I always try to run it until the engine has fully warmed up, before putting it back in the garage. This means that sometimes the engine doesn't run for a week or so. To this If I start my car I always try to run it until the engine has fully warmed up,then get in it and drive the car until a large smile appears before putting it back in the garage. This means that sometimes the engine doesn't run for a week or so.

Change this If I start my car I always try to run it until the engine has fully warmed up, before putting it back in the garage. This means that sometimes the engine doesn't run for a week or so. To this If I start my car I always try to run it until the engine has fully warmed up,then get in it and drive the car until a large smile appears before putting it back in the garage. This means that sometimes the engine doesn't run for a week or so.

Someone more cleverer than me will hopefully be able to confirm this, but I think there is some reason to not just start the car up and leave it idleing on the drive. Something to do with the cats I think. Porsche manual also mentions this. Other reasons I can think of (and which are therefore probably wrong): clutch wont get moved around, brakes wont get a bit of movement, and the battery will go flatter (alternator doesnt really deliver charge if revs are below 1.5k). So all in all, lots of reasons to go for a spin (bot dont forget a 15min spin will drain the battery so get it on the trickle afterwards...)

Sorry, to clarify I always take the car for a run and never leave it standing just ticking over, so adeymars is spot on, I allways have a big stupid grin on my face when I get back (even when I got stuck in a cloudburst with the hood down).

So how long and how often do you need to run it? So...having been the recent victim of a flat battery (I HATE cars which don't start)...and invested in a trickle charger...out of interest...as a very rough guide...... How long and how often do you need to run the car (facelift 996 with tracker, putting roof up and down) to avoid having to put it on trickle? I kinda understand why running it to Tesco's and back might not do it as it only raises a slight grin rather than a big smile!...and is about 15 mins there and 15 back...and if I use it to go to the station on a daily basis, that's not much further! I was doing okay until very recently, until I figured out how to use the smart top remote to put the hood up and down...which I think must really drain the power as the engine was not on - neat though! Ideas? (and yes, I know I don't drive it enough! - sadly)

Without trying to go off post too much are there any insurance / Porsche warranty issues if you leave your Porker on trickle charge and it malfunctions and causes car damage?

Just start it, drive it and switch it off when you finish, Its a Porsche engine, not a 1937 3 cylinder Fiat.

Well said :thumb: The car's for driving, it can be fun driving it in the week, give it a go you might actually like it

If you think about it what's worse? Starting your engine, running it for a short while then switching it off, or (as I have seen many times!) going to a track day, having your car cool down below operating temp as is often the case with registration/briefings etc, to the point of almost being stone cold, then starting the car and doing ten laps off the bat at full throttle? Not sure the point I'm trying to make but I'm sure there's an interesting one in there somewhere! :?

If I neglect it for more than a couple of days it shouts at me when I fire it up... :roll: [It is a trait of the GT3 engine that if I am honest I rather like]