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| Thread ID: 134422 | 2013-06-30 02:35:00 | Car Question : What to do when leaving it parked for 4 months | Deathwish (143) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 1347523 | 2013-06-30 02:35:00 | Hey guys, whats up! Sorry this is a weird place to ask Car questions but I know there are a few people with a lot of knowledge in this area so thought I'll give it a shot . I'm off to Basic training in a weeks time, will be away from home for 4 months but will get to come home for 5 days at some point in the middle so can perform some maintenance work if needed . Love the car, don't really have enough time to sell it now so it's gonna stay parked on its own for a while . Can anyone please advise what kind of things I should do to help keep it in good condition during this period? Car is fitted with an alarm fitted (Mongoose M80g) which I know will end up fully discharging and probably ruining the battery over time if I leave it plugged in so figure I'll either unplug the battery or have to use some kind of trickle charging device? Anything else I should perform when leaving the car unattended for 4 months? Does petrol in the tank or engine oil deteriorate or anything like that? Any advice would be appreciated, Cheers! |
Deathwish (143) | ||
| 1347524 | 2013-06-30 03:24:00 | Over four months, not much. Petrol *might* degrade a bit so leave your tank near empty but the main worry is theft as opposed to actual mechanical concerns. That low petrol tank will prevent thieves getting far, and they'll have to fuel up at a local gas station which has security cameras so if they're smart they won't keep the car, instead they'll leave it somewhere (in which case the police can easily recover it) or if they do go to a gas station the police should be able to identify the culprits. The only other thing that will happen (as you have all ready pointed out) the battery will drain. Can't offer any advice there. I'm sure someone like prefect will be along to add his 2c and point you in the right direction. | The Error Guy (14052) | ||
| 1347525 | 2013-06-30 04:01:00 | First off put the rego on hold unless you have someone driving it for you occasionally. Secondly remove the battery, great for a anti theft deterrent and also after 4 months its probably going to need a charge anyway | plod (107) | ||
| 1347526 | 2013-06-30 05:39:00 | Don't drain the tank....it's not long enough to ruin the petrol, leave it mostly empty though. Leave it with someone trustworthy, and let your insurance know it's new address. |
pctek (84) | ||
| 1347527 | 2013-06-30 05:51:00 | If you have it parked up somewhere safe outdoors just put one of those trickle charge solar panels in it. Friends did this when they left a $WD parked on their property for 6 months worked like a charm and they just bought a cheap 12V panel | gary67 (56) | ||
| 1347528 | 2013-06-30 09:03:00 | If it is manual, depress the clutch fully and block the mechanism to prevent it locking itself solid. Doesn't happen often, but when it does it is memorable. Take the battery out, there are many things that discharge the sod. Try to store the battery somewhere that doesn't get cold. Do an oil and filter change before storing to get rid of possibly acidic oil. A little oil in each cylinder followed by turning the engine over slowly 3 or 4 turns with the spark plugs out will protect the bores and rings. Put waxed paper under the wiper blades. If it is stored inside, leave two opposite windows down enough to have a 3 ~ 5 mm gap at the top. Forget the thing. | R2x1 (4628) | ||
| 1347529 | 2013-06-30 09:06:00 | In addition to the advice PCW wise sages have offered you, best wishes for a successful completion of your Basic. Good luck. :thumbs: |
WalOne (4202) | ||
| 1347530 | 2013-06-30 09:13:00 | Four months is really not a long time to leave a car especially when you will be back for five days in the middle of this time. Disconnecting the battery is certainly a wise thing to do. Having to recharge a battery is no big deal though. Maybe you could get a reliable person to take it for a run now and then so the tyres are rotated and the battery is kept charged. I have seen people who have been away for a year or more and left their car garaged and on blocks. When you said that you are off on Basic training does this mean that you are joining the military. |
Bobh (5192) | ||
| 1347531 | 2013-06-30 13:06:00 | Would advise parking it indoors, the brake pads can leave rust marks on the disk rotors (which also rust) and give you brake shudder when you use it again (can be fixed by machining though), if left outside. Jack it up so the tyres are clear of the floor (put it on stands, or concrete blocks if you must (not bricks!)), to avoid the tyres developing flat spots. Get a (regulated) trickle charger, don't disconnect the battery (no need), just be sure to connect it correctly (hook it up first (red lead to positive etc) then plug it in/turn it on), leave it connected/on if you wish. The fuel will go off somewhat, probably not to the point of not starting though, but run it fairly low, so a fresh top-up will be the majority. Probably easier to get somebody to give it a run regularly, add them to your insurance though, sh!t can happen :) |
feersumendjinn (64) | ||
| 1347532 | 2013-06-30 19:24:00 | Get the local lads to take it out for a drive in their convoys each Saturday night. That way, all it will cost you is a new set of tyres and some minor panelbeating repairs. Ken :-) |
kenj (9738) | ||
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