Vinnie

iTrader: (1)

My car is going to be inactive for at least 4 months while I am out of the country. But as soon as a return, the next day I have to drive a good 500 miles. I would like to avoid any problems on such a long drive but I'm not sure how well my car will run after beind dormant for an extended period of time.

Can people post suggestions/advice on how I should:

a) store the car?
b) prepare it quickly for a long drive right after being reawakened?

Thanks for the help!

MajinB

iTrader: (21)

ok, drain the oil. drop your tire pressure, cover the car.
put new oil in. throw some air in the tires. check everything. twice. happy driving.

pon55

iTrader: (19)

WHY would you ever drain the oil?





The only thing you would have to do is drive easy for the first part of your trip.

MajinB

iTrader: (21)

cause after enough time the oil turns into sludge.

c kim

iTrader: (1)

Use some fuel stabilizer for the gas. They sell it at autopart stores, walmart....

Vinnie

iTrader: (1)

Should I do an oil change the day I get back?

jerseydetailer

i would change the oi/tranny fluid when you get back but before your road trip....make sure you other fluids (ie brake, clutch, winshield, power steering and antifreeze) are topped off. If those fluids seem dirty change them before storage. Check your brake pads, make sure they have sufficent life. I would then clean you car by washing and waxing and throwing in some fuel preservative. Lastly, remove your battery and place it on a piece of wood on shelf or even inside the house provided no one will have to use your car keep your tire pressure at 30psi, 4 months is not enough time to cause dry rot, make sure you dont store your car on jackstands. This way when you get back, install battery, fire it up, get oil changed(id do tranny to) check your air pressure (should be about 30psi) and spare tire pressure (should be about 60psi)...then have a good trip

free_refil

Don't forget to disconnect your battery. Also is wise to run as low on gas as possible that way you dont have a full tank of stale gas when ya get back.

pon55

iTrader: (19)

like 4000 years maybe

a lot of people in my area go south for the winter and leave their cars for 4 to 6 months, no problems!

Vinnie

iTrader: (1)

Are you sure? I could have swore you were supposed to keep your tank full while in storage so that whatever sediments in your tank aren't lingering at the bottom of your gas tank.

Can someone verify which scenario is better?

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

change oil when you get back. put car on jackstands, put lubecontrol fp60 in gas. not a big deal.

jerseydetailer

i vote against this..having the suspension hanging for prolonged periods of times isnt good...most ppl that store cars (except race cars) tend to do it while the car is parked..check the lifts that are sold for car storage..they are drive and do not allow the car to be lifted half of the things this ppl are saying has already been stated 4 months wont be enough time to damage oil

lxcivic2k1

All you need to do for 4 months is maybe clean it before you leave(mainly personal preferance) and disconnect the battery.
When you get back check the oil level and it wouldn't hurt to change it but not necessary and let it idle till its up to temp.

That should be it but fuel additive wouldn't hurt either. I use to work at a car strorage place and ppl just put there are in as is, and they start up with a lil cranking and run just fine after 6 months or more. So 4 months isn't long at all.

pon55

iTrader: (19)

^ ^ ^ ^

Vinnie

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for help guys, much appreciated.

jerseydetailer

are you considering the fact that he is taking a 400 mile trip when he gets back

dre2600

I know thats true for motorbike storage because the tanks are metal and if any moisture develops will corode, but not cars. Cars have fuel filters, I don't see how sediment would or would not sink to the bottom regardless of how full the tank is, not to mention that once you started driving, even if there was some ghost sediment, it would slosh around a lot.

etdigitalis

Vinnie, you're not in the Air Force by chance are you?

spoonJDMlX

iTrader: (1)

lol man just have someone start it for you like 1s a week. if you can find someone that is.......5-10s idle is fine with a little gas