Methods and systems are provided for periodically activating a vehicle engine such that issues that may occur responsive to engine inactivity, such as rust and the sticking of components of the valve train, may be prevented. In one example, a vehicle engine increment off timer is used to monitor a duration wherein the vehicle engine has not been active, and responsive to expiration of the timer, spinning the engine unfueled in reverse while concurrently activating an onboard pump to direct air and fuel vapor to be stored in a fuel vapor canister. In this way, periodic engine lubrication operations may be conducted that do not require the use of fueled engine operation, thereby improving fuel economy and reducing undesired evaporative emissions.