rest it or test it?
ok. say you have an old car. you need to drive it for important occasions. there are other times when you can either drive it, or not. so, do you
a. [test it] drive it whenever you can, to keep it exercised, and more importantly, so that you are continually 'testing' it, in the hope that if it breaks down, it will be on an unimportant trip?
b. [rest it] drive it as little as possible to conserve its life?
i guess i am mostly concerned with components like starters and batteries, that typically work fine with no symptoms of impending failure, then one day boom, they are out.
not really interested in the aspect of cars that deteriorates from age alone, like seats that crack, and tires that dry rot. or in things you can see without driving, like oil leaks.
wle.