Army equipment gets used in some of the worst conditions imaginable.
But no matter the conditions, it’s common sense that equipment works “best” when operated daily, weekly and on a monthly basis.
The cold reality is common sense flies out the window when a vehicle sits idle for a long time. Batteries run down, hydraulic fluid turns to gunk, seals dry out and rot, electronic circuits and cylinder rods corrode, tires lose air, and condensation forms in the air tanks among other things.
Herein lies the problem: PM falls apart when a vehicle just sits and doesn’t move. On more than one occasion, you’ll hear a motor sergeant say, “We maintain it, but we don’t use it!” In other words, all the maintenance in the world won't prevent the problems that arise from idle vehicles.
Long story short, do your vehicle’s PMCS, exercise your equipment, and let your vehicle’s engine run for at least 30 minutes a week – plain and simple!