Storing My car for At Least six months maybe a year, what should I do?

[tnitsuj]

I need to store my car for six months to a year in a few weeks. It is going to have garage insurance and be parked in my garage. I am thinking of changing the oil, putting in fuel stabilizer, putting the thing up on jack stands, and perhaps hooking up a trickle charger/conditioner to the battery. Anything else I should do for long term storage?

 

[isekii]

I think you should empty out the fuel tank as well.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Change the oil, you don't want the old oil just sitting in there all the time. Fuel should last for at least one year without degratation, you won't need a stabiliser unless you're storing it for longer than a year. Make sure that you have a full tank of fuel, otherwise there will be condensation and your tank will rust as well as your gas getting watered down. Take the battery out of the car and store it in a cool, dry place. A trickle-charger will work too. I store a couple of cars for winter and I don't worry about jackstands, it should be OK for 6 months or so. Just make sure the tires are properly inflated. You might even want to inflate the tires to the sidewall pressure (maximum pressure) instead of the normal pressure during storage so that when they leak down they don't leak down to under-inflated.

ZV

 

[Actaeon]

Car cover to keep the dust off?

 

[Zim Hosein]

tnitsuj, if you're storing it in your garage, start it up on a weekly basis

 

[radioouman]

SOmehow, I don't think that jack stands are a good idea. I think just letting the car sit on it's tires/wheels will be fine. Three years ago I was able to witness a friend of mine receiving a car that had been in storage since 1965! Believe it or not, it was stored in a barn, under a cover. It was a 1964 Chrysler New Yorker with 11,000 miles. As soon as they drove it out of the barn, the tires went flat. Otherwise, it was in gorgeous condition.

If that car can sit on it's suspension for 30+ years, I think that your car would be fine without resting on jack stands.

 

[Evadman]

Most important:

Originally posted by: ZenmervoltMake sure that you have a full tank of fuel, otherwise there will be condensation and your tank will rust as well as your gas getting watered down.
ZV

Also, when you store the battery, do not store it on the floor. It will actually slowly discharge right through the bottom into the concreete. At least put it up on a piece of plywood.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Evadman
Most important:

Originally posted by: ZenmervoltMake sure that you have a full tank of fuel, otherwise there will be condensation and your tank will rust as well as your gas getting watered down.
ZV

Also, when you store the battery, do not store it on the floor. It will actually slowly discharge right through the bottom into the concreete. At least put it up on a piece of plywood.

Text
Common myth.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: radioouman
SOmehow, I don't think that jack stands are a good idea. I think just letting the car sit on it's tires/wheels will be fine. Three years ago I was able to witness a friend of mine receiving a car that had been in storage since 1965! Believe it or not, it was stored in a barn, under a cover. It was a 1964 Chrysler New Yorker with 11,000 miles. As soon as they drove it out of the barn, the tires went flat. Otherwise, it was in gorgeous condition.

If that car can sit on it's suspension for 30+ years, I think that your car would be fine without resting on jack stands.

Jackstands aren't for the suspension, they are to avoid having the tires take a "set".

ZV

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
tnitsuj, if you're storing it in your garage, start it up on a weekly basis

No, bad idea. Unless you start the car and let it idle for 30-60 minutes the battery will not be replenished. Also, the engine must reach operating temperature and maintain operating temperature for several minutes to allow the contaminants that enter the oil during startup to be burned off from the oil's heat. Oil typically takes 2 to 3 times as long as the coolant to reach operating temperature. On my 924S in the winter the oil can take over 40 minutes to reach normal temperatures, but the 924S has an oil cooler. Also, starting the car puts a lot of wear on the engine. There's no good reason to start it while it's in storage. All it will do is contaminate the oil and run down your battery.

ZV

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: radioouman
SOmehow, I don't think that jack stands are a good idea. I think just letting the car sit on it's tires/wheels will be fine. Three years ago I was able to witness a friend of mine receiving a car that had been in storage since 1965! Believe it or not, it was stored in a barn, under a cover. It was a 1964 Chrysler New Yorker with 11,000 miles. As soon as they drove it out of the barn, the tires went flat. Otherwise, it was in gorgeous condition.

If that car can sit on it's suspension for 30+ years, I think that your car would be fine without resting on jack stands.

Jackstands aren't for the suspension, they are to avoid having the tires take a "set".

ZV

True, it's to avoid getting square tires.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
tnitsuj, if you're storing it in your garage, start it up on a weekly basis

Do that and let it run for 5 minutes or so each time.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
tnitsuj, if you're storing it in your garage, start it up on a weekly basis

Do that and let it run for 5 minutes or so each time.

Only if you want to put a bunch of crap in your oil and wear out your battery. See my post above.

ZV

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: mugsywwiii
Text
Common myth.

It is not a common myth, it actually happens. It has happened to me. Of course, you don't have to believe me. *shrug*
And it was a plastic battery. A cheapy kmart one.

 

[geno]

Things I've learned through time for storing cars

Change your oil
Either swap on some cheapie rims/tires, or put it on stands to preserve your tires
don't start the car on a regular basis
Full tank of gas

 

[Zee]

edit: nevermind i was thinking of something else.

anyway go here: http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/BuySell/long_term_storage.htm

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: geno
Things I've learned through time for storing cars

Change your oil
Either swap on some cheapie rims/tires, or put it on stands to preserve your tires
don't start the car on a regular basis
Full tank of gas

Add a 12oz bottle of Isopropyl dry gas,NOT methanol type!

Add some fuel stabilizer,there are some really good ones,at your local snowmobile,and boat
dealers.

then fill tank with Super/premium fuel, and let it run/drive it for a few mins.

disconnect battery

Oh befoe you park it,make Sure that there is no food/drinks in the car!

Put d-con and glue traps around the outside of the car {where you wont step in glue boards,LOL}

put some glue boards under the hood.. darn mice love cars.

some people say to put bounce stinky drier sheets,{not the unscented ones}
in the car/trunk etc.


Best wishes!