Letting car sit for year+

[ependydad]

With our upcoming trip, we are going to drop the car off at the storage lot, cover it, and then essentially forget about it until we get back. The car would be in full-sun at the storage lot (except for shadows from the neighboring campers).

My plan right now is to-

1) get it washed/waxed/detailed
2) top off the tires (maybe even slightly over-inflate them)
3) fill the gas tank
4) add stabil for the fuel
5) cover it (making sure the tires are covered)

If I don't cover it, I could probably get a friend to drive it for a day each month. Do his work commute or something of 20 or so miles each way. I'm not positive that he is not-flighty enough to remember, though.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

[HONDAMAN174]

Remove battery and put car up on jack stands with wheels off ground. Would actually try to leave as little as possible gas in tank so when returning adding gas will dilute seperated fuel. Would recommend towing vehicle out of storage if it will not be driven as all fluids will break down and need to be replaced. A good cover (cloth) would be a must to protect paint and interior.

[iowasparrow]

always store a car with full fuel tank. It will be fine. The battery will be dead but that's no big deal. I'd disconnect the battery and just jump start it when you return. Your list is good.

[rana]

Originally Posted by iowasparrow

always store a car with full fuel tank.

X2. With Stabil or the like it will go 12 months just fine. Much better than condensation build up in yer tank.

Steel wool pad in the tailpipe and block off the air intake to keep out little critters from making a home.

[Evereddie]

Did you say for a year? Sell the car. Buy what you want when you get back.

[ependydad]

Yarome, it's a Hyundai Elantra... where is the "air intake"?

And Evereddie, we debated that on and off. It's inexpensive to keep it and it is paid off. Ultimately, I'm out of time to sell it unless
I dump it on CarMax.

[ependydad]

So, additional steps:

- disconnect battery
- put steel wool in tail pipe and air intake (once I know where that is)

[Taranwanderer]

Put the stabilizer in the tank (Sea Foam or Staynadine, since Sta-bil doesn't help with the ethanol issues,) fill it up, and drive it a bit to get the treated fuel into the pump, injectors, etc. You don't want to go through the trouble of treating the fuel in the tank if the fuel in the rest of the system turns into a sludgy, gummy mess while you're away. I don't think I'd mess with the tires.

[Evereddie]

No, don't dump it, sounds like keep it wins. Put your heat and air system on recirculate before you park it. Just in case a critter gets in your air system and takes up residence. Happened to me once on a Dodge Colt Vista Wagon. Recirculate will close some of the doors in the air system to the outside world.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Taranwanderer

Put the stabilizer in the tank (Sea Foam or Staynadine, since Sta-bil doesn't help with the ethanol issues,) fill it up, and drive it a bit to get the treated fuel into the pump, injectors, etc. You don't want to go through the trouble of treating the fuel in the tank if the fuel in the rest of the system turns into a sludgy, gummy mess while you're away. I don't think I'd mess with the tires.

Thanks for the driving tip, Taran. I likely would have dumped it in at the storage lot.

Originally Posted by Evereddie

No, don't dump it, sounds like keep it wins. Put your heat and air system on recirculate before you park it. Just in case a critter gets in your air system and takes up residence. Happened to me once on a Dodge Colt Vista Wagon. Recirculate will close some of the doors in the air system to the outside world.

Will do.

[Salt Shaker]

I use startron enzyme treatment in my boats. I would also top off with premium. If you have access to non ethanol fuel I would certainly fill up with that. Never had an issue running ethanol. My offshore rig might sit for 8 months or so. Get a descent cover that will fit snug and not rub in the wind. Disconnect the battery. For a year I personally wouldn't block the tires. Add a block of bar bait here and there.

I am not a stabil fan.

Salt

[waiter21]

Year plus... tough call - Storage cost vs buy/sell....

I've left cars for a few years while overseas, This is what I do

1) Drain fuel as low as it will go. Squirt WD40 on fuel cap gasket and re-install.

2) Change oil and filter

3) Drain antifreeze. Squirt WD40 on radiator cap, re-install. (leave a couple gallons of 50/50 mix on the passenger seat floor so it will be ready when you re-activate)

4) Cover car and tires.

5) If possible, jack car to get tires off ground.

6) If you have access to the spark plus, remove them, squirt a few tablespoons of oil in each of the cylinders, re-install the plugs.

7) Steel wool in exhaust pipe, Heavy plastic bag over intake (use wire ties or electric tape to secure it)

8) Remove battery, (at least disconnect it)

10) spray WD 40 on all hinges locks, etc.

[ependydad]

I'm on the hook for storage costs no matter if I have something parked in it or not (it's my RV storage lot spot), so the only extra cost there is insurance and for that- I've dropped what I can and have increased my deductibles so lower the price.

---

But- that's the second recommendation to block the air intake... what/where is that? (Understand that I know extremely little about cars!)

[rana]

Originally Posted by ependydad

But- that's the second recommendation to block the air intake... what/where is that? (Understand that I know extremely little about cars!)

Sorry there.. Behind the grill on the drivers side. If it's easier, you can just pop your air filter box lift the filter and steel wool the intake from the inside out. Not the intake above the filter... under the filter heading out toward the grill.

[Joshua Cavitt]

You will need to disconnect the tube from the box that is directly in front of your battery. I pulled this picture off of Google images under Hyundai Elantra engine bay. hopefully it's right for you.

[ependydad]

Thanks guys.

[Crusadernoob]

I would find someone that would drive it every couple weeks, shoot let em keep it, less miles on their own car and they could alternate driving. If not you MUST put rodant repellant inside of it, I have not tried it but look up fresh cab, I would use it and use a lot. Full tank of fuel with additive pack to keep it as fresh as possible, plug exhaust, intake, tires off the ground air pressure should be set low-20 psi The fluids will be fine. Obviously I would change the oil when you get back but it will be fine on your initial start up.
Good luck

[Evereddie]

Originally Posted by ependydad

Thanks guys.

Good to see your avatar back.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Evereddie

Good to see your avatar back.

Remarkably normal for a change.

[OldCoot]

Let your in-laws drive it.