How to get the car ready for storage?

[Tungsten_GT]

As my school's sea term approaches, I'm going to be away from my car for about a month and a half, it will most likely not be started, washed, waxed, or looked at for that time.
So what should I do to get it ready? What's the best way to store my car? I'd like to hear what you guys would do.

 

[JUSTA3V]

For that length of time. Trickle charger in the battery. Or remove it. That's all I would do

 

[Phil1098]

Month and a half isn't very long. I would put at least a 1/2 a tank of fresh fuel in it and throw it on a battery tender. It will be fine.

 

[travelers]

Full tank of gas so it doesn't get any moisture in it. and definitely a trickle charger. Also if you have auto head lites make sure they are off.

 

[Wes06]

how about ship it to me, ill drive it to keep it fresh and send it back?

jonesing for my mustang fix pretty bad

 

[Tungsten_GT]

how about ship it to me, ill drive it to keep it fresh and send it back?

jonesing for my mustang fix pretty bad

I'll get a quote on that one haha
Would it be worth it to change the oil before I go away? About 300 miles away from my next change.

 

[Phil1098]

I'll get a quote on that one haha
Would it be worth it to change the oil before I go away? About 300 miles away from my next change.

Yes, oil should always be changed before storage, especially if it is close to time/mileage. Acids from the combustion process get into the oil, if the oil just sits, the acid can start eating metal. Not much danger with a month and a half, but I have seen some pretty damaged motorcycle engines that sat for months with old oil in them.

 

[Tungsten_GT]

That's interesting, I didn't know that Phil. Do you guys think I should invest in a car cover? Want something to keep the car safe since I know nobody will be washing it at all while I am away.

 

[Sky Render]

• Dump Sta-Bil in the tank and fill it up completely right before you park it. Run it for at least 3-5 minutes to get the stabilized fuel throughout the system.
• Put it on a battery tender.
• Overfill the tires to 45 psi to help prevent flat spots.

 

[Mach2burnout]

• Dump Sta-Bil in the tank and fill it up completely right before you park it. Run it for at least 3-5 minutes to get the stabilized fuel throughout the system.
• Put it on a battery tender.
• Overfill the tires to 45 psi to help prevent flat spots.

1). I personally have not had good luck with Sta-bil. Will never use it again.
Fill the tank completely, gas will be fine for 1 1-2 months. Try to fill up somewhere that has fuel without ethanol. I know this is difficult these days.
2). Check

3). I prefer jack stands over this method, but sometimes you have to improvise due to availability.

If your car will be inside a secure garage with little to no foot traffic a cover really isn't necessary unless you just want it to be nice and clean when you come back.


Sent from iPhone

 

[Phil1098]

My car sits in the garage for months through the winter here. I keep it on a tender, but I don't add anything to the fuel, just make sure it's fresh before it goes away for the winter. I start the car every couple months to circulate the fluids, but it doesn't move for months. There are cars at the airport for a month and a half.

 

[Towelie]

Every year before my deployment, I put stabil in the tank and fill it up. Park it in the garage, pull the fuse for the fuel pump (can't trust roommates) and put the cover on.

I've never had a problem. It sat for about 9 months last time.

 

[Tungsten_GT]

I don't have a garage, so the cover will have to do, not too worried about anyone driving it as I'm the only stick driver in my family, overfilling the tires isn't dangerous at all? Thinking about the stabil idea, use it in my Jetskis

 

[Towelie]

Overfilling the tires is fine if it's just sitting. Just don't exceed the max pressure stamped on the sidewall

 

[JUSTA3V]

Pretty sure putting 5 extra pounds of air in the tires will not result in them exploding like frag grenades.

I've put a lot more than 45 psi in mine before by accident.

 

[Tungsten_GT]

So just the max amount of air allowed?
Battery tender, full tank of gas and a car cover.

 

[Shotokan1509]

I just disconnect the battery and it's good for 4months through winter. Stabil get the blue marine stuff, better than the red

 

[Sky Render]

45 psi will be fine. I do it almost every winter. Just put a piece of masking tape on your window reminding you to deflate them before driving!

 

[bujeezus]

Since we're talking about tire pressures I've always wondered why everyone still runs 32-35psi. The max pressure for my current tires is 50psi. Why wouldn't you run those at 40psi?

 

[Sky Render]

Since we're talking about tire pressures I've always wondered why everyone still runs 32-35psi. The max pressure for my current tires is 50psi. Why wouldn't you run those at 40psi?

You want to run whatever pressure provides the best contact patch. 45 psi makes the tires balloon, shrinking the contact patch.

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