"passive" dial maintenance

[kwatter04]

What is the best way to keep already good working dials from seizing, without actually lubricating them? Is it good to spin them every once in awhile to keep them from seizing? in other words, is it better to use them or leave them alone in order to prolong their lives?  I'm mainly asking this question because I bought a dates matching '57 pink 500 a few months ago and the dial started to seize shortly thereafter.  It was fine when I bought it! I only used it a couple of times! maybe the dial hadn't been turned in a long time, and then my using it brought on the failure? does the environment matter? might a dry environment make the dials more prone to failure? so many questions!

[HowardPgh]

I don't think dialing them now and then could hurt them.
I can't resist dialing a phone when I walk past one.
Also be aware that the old oil gets gummy after a while. This especially affects AE dials.

[twocvbloke]

I think it's better to use the dial than to let it sit and gum up over time, which is basically maintenance, as in, maintaining the use of the device in question...