IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013) Discussion about the 2006+ model IS models

low miles a bad thing?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-10-11, 10:09 AM
  #1  
tjschraf
Driver
Thread Starter
 
tjschraf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: MI
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default low miles a bad thing?

Hey guys,

my 06 is 350 has only 24k miles (bought it with 18k). I am away at school during the week and come home on weekends so my car does not get much use, in fact I do not even have it with me at school. my question is, is the 200 miles I put on it on saturdays a bad thing for it? I love having low miles but i have heard numerous people say that low mileage is a bad thing for the car. May explain the clunking noises i hear every time i make a slow turn or move in my driveway.
Old 10-10-11, 11:03 AM
  #2  
Sango
Pole Position
iTrader: (10)
 
Sango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Vancouver, BC / Seattle, WA
Posts: 3,382
Received 8 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Shouldn't be a bad thing, as long as you start up the car after every so while. This will get the oil running through the system to keep everything lubed and it will be fine and don't have to drive long, just a quick one.

Last edited by Sango; 10-10-11 at 11:09 AM.
Old 10-10-11, 11:06 AM
  #3  
Gville350
Moderator
iTrader: (10)
 
Gville350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 11,574
Likes: 0
Received 433 Likes on 385 Posts
Default

With such a new car I'd not worry about it.
Old 10-10-11, 11:07 AM
  #4  
Sffd103
Fire Slayer
iTrader: (16)
 
Sffd103's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: NorCal
Posts: 10,548
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Default

I wouldn't worry about as long as you start her up and I'd probably use synthetic oil since conventional oil can go bad just sitting from what I was told.
Old 10-10-11, 11:09 AM
  #5  
Joeb427
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joeb427's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SC
Posts: 11,670
Received 17 Likes on 16 Posts
Default

My IS is only used on weekends in nice weather.
Sometimes she may sit in the garage for 2 weeks or more but I keep her on a Battery Tender to keep the battery tip top fresh and fully charged.
If you use the car on a weekend,give it a longer drive and not a short trip.
Old 10-10-11, 12:13 PM
  #6  
chris07is
Pole Position
iTrader: (10)
 
chris07is's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 818/323/562
Posts: 2,761
Received 92 Likes on 66 Posts
Default

u wanna trade..i have 07 IS 250 97K...let me know...j/k..
Old 10-10-11, 12:19 PM
  #7  
hypervish
Lexus Test Driver
 
hypervish's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 5,698
Received 91 Likes on 77 Posts
Default

If you only use it on the weekend's, be sure to drive it for at least a half an hour, or to full operating temperature. This will make sure all of the moisture in the oil will be burned off.
Old 10-10-11, 12:50 PM
  #8  
brociouz
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (65)
 
brociouz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: NorCal
Posts: 7,689
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 10 Posts
Default

+1 for taking it out on a nice 30+ mile drive at least twice a month. if you leave it unused in your garage for too long, you might end up with a rat's nest like this guy:

Old 10-10-11, 12:54 PM
  #9  
rookieIS
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (8)
 
rookieIS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: California
Posts: 2,227
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

^ thats gross
Old 10-10-11, 12:57 PM
  #10  
rookieIS
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (8)
 
rookieIS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: California
Posts: 2,227
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

im in the same situation w/ op. my 06 only has 33k miles and i commute 100 miles a day with my beater. i try to fill fresh gasoline whenever the tank hits 1/2, dont know if that is necessary
Old 10-10-11, 07:45 PM
  #11  
tjschraf
Driver
Thread Starter
 
tjschraf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: MI
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

thanks for the help guys. When you say start my car periodically, how often is tihs? once a week like i do or more?
Old 10-10-11, 08:01 PM
  #12  
brociouz
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (65)
 
brociouz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: NorCal
Posts: 7,689
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 10 Posts
Default

^ I think once every other week should be fine, as long as you take it out for a good run.
Old 10-10-11, 10:26 PM
  #13  
DNAIS
Driver School Candidate
iTrader: (11)
 
DNAIS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

It will be fine but adding synthetic oil might not be a bad thing given the infrequent use.
Old 10-10-11, 10:30 PM
  #14  
PetesSweet
Pole Position
 
PetesSweet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: wa
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I got an 08 with 21k miles on it, I know how ya feel about it, should be just fine, I let my car warm up anyways since I gotta select the right tunes :-D
Old 10-10-11, 10:31 PM
  #15  
PetesSweet
Pole Position
 
PetesSweet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: wa
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by brociouz
+1 for taking it out on a nice 30+ mile drive at least twice a month. if you leave it unused in your garage for too long, you might end up with a rat's nest like this guy:

**** horsepower, I got me some super duper rodent power!


Quick Reply: low miles a bad thing?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:15 AM.