• blackbeans@lemmy.zip
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    3 months ago

    Parking your car for so long is not without risk though.

    Might need a new car battery as it will slowly drain.

    Parking brakes might get stuck.

    Tires might develop flat spots.

    • boonhet@sopuli.xyz
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      3 months ago

      You can just charge drained batteries or jump start cars and they’ll charge on their own!

      You also don’t HAVE to use the parking brake if it’s on your own property and if it’s maintained at all, it won’t get stuck anyway. I’ve seen them freeze shut in the winter, but LA isn’t known for -30C winters, particularly this time of the year.

      Flat spots from a few weeks of car being parked will go away in a few minutes of driving.

      I’ve left cars stored for several months at a time and nothing bad has happened. Disconnected negative battery terminal so there’s no starting issues either

      • blackbeans@lemmy.zip
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        3 months ago

        My message was meant for people who do not take these things into account. As there are many of them.

        Also, you can definitely permanently damage your battery by letting it discharge too far. This is due to a process called hard sulfation.

        • boonhet@sopuli.xyz
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          3 months ago

          It’s 5 weeks, it’s not a long time. You need to take these things into account when it’s multiple months.

          • blackbeans@lemmy.zip
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            3 months ago

            Depends on your model. Some BMW, Volvo, VW and older Teslas discharge within weeks. Mostly due to their built in telematic systems and luxury systems.

    • TrackinDaKraken@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      The battery can be trickle charged with a $15 device if needed. Those other things are not an issue over just five weeks.

      • blackbeans@lemmy.zip
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        3 months ago

        No one is stopping a car owner from doing that, but many will forget. And they will be unpleasantly surprised and might not join such a challenge again. Hence my heads up

            • velma@sh.itjust.works
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              3 months ago

              You can’t see how your comment pointing out only negatives about participating in this program is discouraging?

              I’m glad you’re supportive of it. There’s ways to maintain one’s car in this program.

              • blackbeans@lemmy.zip
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                3 months ago

                I was pointing out the negatives of leaving a car parked for 5 weeks. Sure you can read it differently, depending on your mindset.

                • velma@sh.itjust.works
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                  3 months ago

                  All I had replied is that it is possible to maintain a car while participating in the program. So as not to discourage people from trying it if they were interested.

                  Glad you cleared it up that you’re supportive of the program!