To drive or not to drive...

[plee4139]

It's about two months since I drove my Sky Hawk and as my family doesn't want me to do it. Because no one knows when it will be safe, should I let my son who's driven it before, start and drive it for the recommended twenty minutes, or just let it sit in the garage and disconnect the battery?

[55coupe]

Drive drive drive my coupe needs a run so I’m going in the next day or two

[Mike Van Veghten]

"Recommended"..? Who recommended this ?

It takes more than 20 minutes to get everything to temperature, unless it's on the freeway (at 60 or above). Around town, not a good idea.

You need to heat everything, the water, the oil and the exhaust system.
Oil - So moisture is burned off to help keep acids from forming in the oil and tear up the soft parts, such as bearings, start to cause rust in steel parts. Also to make sure that ALL parts have been recoated in fresh warm oil. Wrist pins without oil can cause expensive damage, I've seen this first hand.
Water - To help warm everything, see above. To help remove moisture (water) formed during the initial start.
Exhaust - Also see above. Moisture is developed during the initial start. Leaving this moisture in the exhaust system...well, you know what that does.

Otherwise, just keep a battery charger on the battery and let the car sit until you can actually drive it and have fun with it.

Mike

[rockne10]

And, as far as being safe, unless someone carrying the virus has been in your Hawk within the past few days, you're as safe there as anywhere; perhaps safer.
Drive it for as long as your local authorities permit.
Just don't roll down the window and invite people to cough on you.

[plee4139]

I have read quite a few recommendations, including at least one from our forum which state that rather than just start it up and let it run for awhile, to drive it for at least twenty minutes to get the moisture out, which is what I'm doing. My engine rebuilder told me to let it warm up before I drive so that the oil filter, which is mounted on the top of the block, gets filled.

[studeski]

I had the 2R5 out a month ago to haul my seats out of the Wagonaire to the upholstery shop.
Drove the GT Hawk 50 miles about 2 weeks ago. May go out again today.

[Son O Lark]

I am driving my Studebaker as much as possible on errands to store and work.( I am essential) If I catch covid 19 and die. I would not like to be laying on my deathbed wishing I could drive it again.

[1955Ambulet]

Essential trip to grocery store etc. No where in any shelter at home order I am aware of says" and you must make the trip in a boring 2017 Jellybean 4 door or a common as gully dirt 2015 SUV. Drive it 10 miles or more to get everything warmed up. Do it often. Even after this all passes.

[Daan]

OK I don’t want to start any arguments here... I work at 2 different hospitals, so I’m working 6-7 days a week. And I gotta drive to get there... You being by yourself in the car isn’t any risk to anyone (other than the usual amount of risk you take in traffic)
If you gotta stop for gas, just grab a paper towel and pick the gas pump up with that (or, just wash your hands after) I’ve seen way more “nice cars” out and about this spring than I remember from years past. I think lots of people are getting out and driving around because of all the events going on...

[Lynn]

What Daan said. Take it for a drive. JMHO, but there is a lot of over reaction. I REALIZE being in Long Island, that you are in the epicenter. But seriously, how are you catching the virus driving around? Take a mask, just in case you break down. Former Chief Justice William O. Douglass once said: "If I can't live as I choose, I choose not to live."

[Dick LeRoux]

Took the Avanti out on Sunday & would post pics if I knew how to do that, but everything performed as it should & the Mrs. enjoyed getting out of the house. I have to be in the office daily to coordinate which hospitals and which pharmacies get service vs. those that don't, and being in the heart of the original out-break, Kirkland, WA, that's not an easy task. I have to admit that I talk to many people everyday, but now, after leveling with them as to what we can and can't do for them immediately, most people have been down right reasonable. Others who want to stamp their feet wishing we could magically appear, I just have to explain that I have a finite number of techs, and there are only so many hours in the day. I'll do my best to get you on a schedule but due to the current circumstances you have to realize that there are no guarantees.
-take care and stay safe